"It is such a hard life," said Florence. "A doctor must be a perfect hero."
"You used to be enthusiastic over heroes," said Horton, smiling.
"I am now," said Florence, "but——"
"Not the kind who ride in buggies instead of on foaming chargers and wield lancets instead of lances," laughed Horton, looking into the slightly vexed but lovely face opposite, with a great deal of expression in his dark eyes.
"Of course you would not think of settling in Ridgemont," remarked Mrs. Fairfield, blandly, "after all you have studied."
"I don't see why not," he answered.
"But for an ambitious young man," began Mrs. Fairfield.
"I'm afraid I am not an ambitious young man," said Horton. "There is a good opening here, and the old home is very dear to me."
Florence was silently studying the toe of one small sandalled foot.