“Could you eat something?” he asked, regarding with a thrill of pain the thin hands that held the bowl.
“No, not now, Earle; I will wait and take breakfast with you by and by,” she answered, with a bright, hopeful look into his anxious face.
“You are feeling better already?” he asked, eagerly.
“Yes,” she returned, with a ripple of happy laughter. “You know ‘a merry heart doeth good like a medicine,’ and I feel very happy and safe just now.”
Indeed, she did not look like the same person that Earle had seen through the transom.
Her eyes were now bright and hopeful, and her face shining with happiness and content.
“You will let me talk now? I cannot sleep any more,” she said, as she settled back upon the pillow which he arranged for her.
“If you are able, a little. I do not wish you to get too weary.”
“I want to tell you how I happen to be here—at least, all that I know about it myself—and I have such good news for you.”
“Then let it be in just as few words as possible, or the excitement will be too much for you,” he replied, feeling greatly relieved to see her looking so much brighter, and to hear her speak in her natural tone once more.