“Are you better, dear?” she said, softly stroking Lucile’s dark hair back from her forehead with gentle fingers. “You went to sleep and I was so afraid of disturbing you that I didn’t dare move.”
Lucile caught her friend’s hand and pressed it to her cheek. “You and Jessie have been darling to me—both of you,” she cried, warmly, and Evelyn dropped to her knees beside the bed.
“Oh, that sounds like our old Lucy,” she exulted. “You are feeling better aren’t you, dear?”
“Lots,” said Lucile, smiling up at her friend.
Then Jessie came running in and they hugged each other and laughed and cried after the dear and foolish manner of all girls, until a gentle knock disturbed them and brought Jessie to her feet with a start.
“Oh, I promised Phil I’d come right back and tell him if you were awake, and I never did,” she cried, in consternation. 81
But, upon opening the door, the visitors proved not to be a wrathful and avenging young god, but Mr. and Mrs. Payton, coming to inquire after the patient’s health.
“Hello!” said Mr. Payton, as Jessie gave a relieved sigh. “We came down to see a sick girl and we find a rank imposter in her place.”
“Aren’t you disappointed?” gibed his daughter. “Is that you, Mother? It’s so dark in that corner I can hardly see.”
Her mother’s answer was a very comforting one, for she took Lucile in her arms and kissed her gently.