Jean stirred at this moment. The morning was strong in the room. Her own smile swept across her face like a wing of light.
"Dear," she said distinctly, "did you have the tooth out? Did it hurt you very much? You poor, poor boy!"
She put up her weak hand and touched his cheek.
The doctor could not sleep. He stole in anxiously.
Jean had closed her eyes once more. They opened happily as he entered.
"Why, doctor! You here? What for?"
As if by accident Dr. Thorne's fingers brushed her wrist. The physician's face assumed a noble radiance. He looked affectionately at his old patient.
"Oh, I thought I 'd drop in and see how you were getting along." He smiled indulgently. "Go to sleep again," he said, in a comfortable tone.
But Avery followed the doctor; as love has pursued the healers of all ages from the sick-room to the garrison of the utter truth.
The two men stood in the dusky hall. The physician was the first to speak.