A moment later, before Kara could thank her properly, the older woman hurried away, insisting she had a household duty to look after.
The Girl Scouts had been warned.
Kara’s farewell to her Patrol must be as casual and matter-of-fact as possible. There must be no heroics at parting; she would leave in the early morning and must reserve all her strength.
At shortly after five o’clock the girls and the Troop Captain had departed and Kara was again lying down alone until the evening meal.
Afterwards Dr. McClain and Dorothy were to come in for a few moments.
Kara and Tory, Miss Victoria and Mr. Richard Fenton were in the drawing-room when they entered. Unexpectedly Lance accompanied them.
“We did not intend allowing Lance to appear, Kara,” Dorothy apologized, “but he insisted he had something of special importance to say to you and never had been allowed the opportunity, you have been so surrounded.”
Not long after, stating that he was satisfied with her condition, Dr. McClain departed to call upon another patient. A few minutes later Miss Victoria and Mr. Fenton left the drawing-room to the younger guests.
Kara was in her wheeled chair. Lance was standing near her. Dorothy was seated on a stool nearby, while Tory remained on the rug with her back to the fire, facing the others.
Dorothy smiled.