He looked about the room and saw that he was in the inner office of the president of the bank, alone with Bivens's wife. He was lying on the big leather couch.
"I heard that you were going to speak this morning. I wanted to hear you and came. I arrived just as you began and managed to get into the bank. I saw that man try to kill you, Jim, and that crowd of wild beasts trampling you to death. I saw you knock them down one at a time while I watched you, paralyzed with fear. I wanted to rush out and fight my way to your side—but I was a coward. I tried to go, but my legs wouldn't move. I only stood there trembling and sobbing for some one else to go. I'm afraid I'm not very heroic."
Stuart smiled feebly.
"I understand, Nan, I felt the same thing out there."
"The two detectives pulled you out and dragged you into the bank."
The doctor entered and quickly dressed Stuart's wounds, and turned to Nan.
"He'll be all right in a week or so, Mrs. Bivens—provided he doesn't insist on breaking the run on another bank by the spell of his eloquence. I hope you can persuade him not to try that again."
"I think I'm fully persuaded, Doctor," Stuart answered grimly, "I've seen a great light to-day."
When the doctor had gone and Nan was left alone with Stuart an embarrassed silence fell between them.
She was quietly wondering if he were fully unconscious when she was sobbing and saying some very foolish things. Above all she was wondering whether he knew that she had kissed him.