"I'm afraid not, thank you, Roger," replied the girl. "But don't you want something to eat before you start back?"
"No, thanks. I ought to be home early this evening, and I'll get supper then. I'm not a bit hungry now." And with a sympathetic handshake, he left her.
"Would you like to go to your room, my dear—or do you want to see your father first?" asked the housekeeper. "I have him here on the ground floor."
"I want to see Daddy!" replied Linda, wiping the tears from her eyes.
The older woman led her across the hall to a room where the door was open, and she caught sight of her father, lying almost lifeless upon the bed. Impulsively Linda rushed in to him. It just didn't seem possible that he wouldn't recognize her, and hold out his arms to receive her!
But he continued to lie death-like upon the bed, his head motionless upon the pillow. His eyes were closed.
"Daddy! Daddy darling!" she cried, in a voice that shook with pain. Dropping to her knees, she knelt beside his bed, and covered his limp hand with kisses.
But there was no response whatever to her greeting!
For some time she stayed there, praying that he would get better. Mrs. Cates had left them alone, but in half an hour she came back.