"You are the strongest sick girl I ever saw," declared the nurse. "I hope I have made no mistake."
"Well, indeed you have," replied Dorothy. "I tell you I am not and have never been a patient at any institution. I thought there was some test of mentality—the eye, isn't it?"
"But nurses cannot make tests," answered Miss Bell. "We have to wait for the dear professional, all-powerful doctors to do that. This is my first day here, and I think I am going to be almost as lonely as you are."
"I am sorry for you, but you may leave if you wish. It is quite different in my case!"
"My dear, if you can only be content to-night, I promise you some one will come to-morrow. They have sent for your mother—Mrs. Harriwell."
"Oh, the mother of the lost girl? Well, she will know. But I must stay all night in this dreadful place—all night?"
"I promise not to leave you. They will send another nurse to relieve me, but I will decline to go. Somehow you have almost convinced me there is a mistake."
"Thank you," replied Dorothy. "Perhaps it will be best not to complain."
She was looking out at the beautiful grounds and thinking of the dear ones whose hearts must be torn with anguish for her. If only she could telegraph!
"Do you think I could send a message?" she asked, "to my friends—to my cousins, at Everglade?"