Mrs. Black rose and stalked to the threshold. But there she turned once more.
“If your wife knew,” she cried hysterically, “how I, her best friend, was treated in her house, she—she—”
Daniel stepped forward. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Black,” he said. “Maybe I have been pretty plain spoken. I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelin's. But, you see, we're all upset here. I'm upset, and Gertie's as much so as the rest. She can't talk to you, or anybody else, now. I'm willin' to try, but you say my talkin' won't do any good.”
“Of course it won't. Oh, don't you SEE? I'm sorry Serena is not well, but this is IMPORTANT.”
“I know, but so's her health, 'cordin' to my thinkin'.”
“If I might see her just a moment. It is so provoking. Just at this critical time! Doesn't my—her election mean ANYTHING to you? Don't you care about the cause?”
The captain shook his head. “All I'm carin' for is my wife, just now,” he said. “She's all I can think about. If some of us had thought more about her, maybe—” He stopped, cleared his throat, and added: “I know you'll understand and forgive us, when you think it over. I'll tell her you called. Good-mornin'.”
If he supposed this was the end, he was mistaken. Annette was not so easily whipped or discouraged. She called again that afternoon, and again the next day. Each morning for a week she came, and, between times, other adherents of the Black-Dott party called. They all asked concerning the invalid, but their interest plainly centered upon her part in the campaign. Would she be well enough to take part in the election, that was the question. They sent flowers and notes. The flowers reached the lady for whom they were intended; the notes did not. And, after the first week, the calls became fewer. Annette and her followers had, apparently, given up hope of aid and advice from their candidate for vice-president. At any rate they ceased to trouble the captain and his daughter.
“It's all the better, Daddy, dear,” said Gertrude. “Mother will have a chance to rest and improve now.”
And Serena did improve, slowly at first, then with gratifying rapidity. She began to sit up for a portion of each day and to sleep through the greater part of each night. At the end of the tenth day the doctor announced that the nurse's services were no longer necessary.