David was silent for a moment, then he said, earnestly: "I never counted. But Janey, she always said 'forty kisses.'" His whole face quivered. A very large tear gathered, trembled, then rolled over; he held his hands together under the lap-robe and looked the other way; then he raised one shoulder and rubbed his cheek against it.
"I guess Janey was a pretty nice sister," Dr. Lavendar said.
David's hands tightened; he looked up speechless, into the kind old face.
"David," said Dr. Lavendar in a business-like way, "would you mind driving for me? I want to look over my note-book."
"Driving?" said David. "Oh, my!" His cheeks were wet but his eyes shone. "I don't mind, sir. I'd just as lieves as not!"
CHAPTER V
"So that's the youngster we're going to adopt, is it?" Mr. Pryor said; then he looked at Helena through his curling brown lashes, with open amusement. Her eyes were full of tears.
"It has been—so long," she said faintly.
"I've been very busy," he explained.
She nodded and smiled. "Anyhow, you are here now. But, oh, Maggie has a sore throat. I don't know what we're going to have for dinner. Oh, how glad I am you're here!" Her face was glowing, but her chin trembled.