"Don't, child! That does for me, not for you. So this is good-bye. You are not sorry?" Her eyes scanned the girl's closely, and then she smiled. "If you are, you will get over it soon. That is the best of work. I often wish I had some--to make me forget myself."
"But you do work--you work harder than anyone I know, in a way. Why, to-night we were quite dull; so dull without you! Everyone missed you; and yet----"
"And yet? out with it, little one!"
"I was wondering if it was worth it?"
"Yes! if you have a craze to be admired, as I have. But I didn't ask you to come here in order to talk about myself. You would not understand me if I did. Pray Heaven you never may. So you have said good-bye to them all, and you are not sorry! That is well. Now, let me wish you good luck, and give you a word of advice."
"Twenty, if you like."
"Make the most of that luck--and Alphonse."
"You mean Dr. Kennedy?" asked the girl, stiffly.
"Dr. Kennedy. There are not many like him in this world."
"I doubt if there are any. At least, I have not met them," she replied, with a quick flush of impatience.