After a moment’s consideration, she solved the legal problem. “From me–that is, from my father, for me.”
At the reference to her father a change came in the injured man. His good humor faded. “No,” he said decidedly. “In the first place I wouldn’t accept money from your father and in the second place he would not give any.”
“You don’t know my father,” she said with pride. “He is a very just man. Sometimes he’s gruff and a little cross but he doesn’t mean anything by that. He always wants to do the right and generous thing.” Her face was alight with loyalty and admiration.
“Does he?” There was a note of sarcasm in his voice which disappeared, and he said no more after he had read her eyes.
She misinterpreted the change in him. “I have stayed too long,” she worried. “You are tired.” She remembered the chicken. “I brought you something.” She put the plate of fowl beside him.
He viewed it in joyous anticipation. “Fine,” he shouted. “If there is one thing I love, it is fried chicken. How did you guess it?”
She smiled at Miss Knight who had joined them. “A bird told me,” she answered him.
The nurse put her hands on her hips and viewed the visitor with marked suspicion at this remark, but, as if satisfied that her distrust was unfounded, she retired to the diet kitchen from which hearty laughter immediately thereafter resounded.
“Good bye,” she told him almost shyly.
His good spirits had returned. “You and I are friends, and remember, we are always going to be friends.”