"The rest with Leo can come later, after I've proved to you for a little while that I'm cured. Alma, don't cry! It's my cure. Just think, a good man! A beautiful home to take my mind off—worry. He said to-night he wants to spend a fortune, if necessary, to cure—my neuralgia."
"Oh, mamma! Mamma! if it were only—that!"
"Alma, if I promise on my—my life! I never felt the craving so little as I do—now."
"You've said that before—and before."
"But never with such a wonderful reason. It's the beginning of a new life. I know it. I'm cured!"
"Mamma, if I thought you meant it."
"I do. Alma, look at me. This very minute I've a real jumping case of neuralgia. But I wouldn't have anything for it except the electric pad. I feel fine. Strong. Alma, the bad times with me are over."
"Oh, mamma! Mamma, how I pray you're right."
"You'll thank God for the day that Louis Latz proposed to me. Why, I'd rather cut off my right hand than marry a man who could ever live to learn such a—thing about me."
"But it's not fair. We'll have to explain to him, dear, that we hope you're cured now, but—"