“He's going to get well,” she said, understanding me. “They say it is surely so!”
At that Mary ran and threw her arms about her and kissed her—and I came near it! Hector gave a sort of shout of relief and sank into a chair.
“What is that you must do, Hector?” Miss Rainey said again in her steady voice.
“Stick to Trimmer!” he explained. “Don't you see that I must? He needs me now more than ever, and it's my only chance.”
Miss Rainey looked at him over Mary's shoulder. She looked at him a long while before she spoke. “You know why Mr. Lane struck that blow?”
“Oh, I suppose so,” he answered uneasily. “At least Siffles—”
“Yes,” she said. “You know. What are you going to do?”
“The right thing!” Hector rose and walked toward her. “I put right before all. I shall be loyal and I shall be just. It might have been a terribly hard thing to carry through, but, since dear old Joe will recover, I know I can do it.”
The girl's eyes widened suddenly, while the warm glow in them flashed into a fiery and profound scrutiny.
“You are going to make the nominating speech,” she said. It was not a question but a declaration, in the tone of one to whom he stood wholly revealed.