"Papa," said Lucy to her father, "the captain will drive me to the station. You'll be all right until we get back?"
"All right, yes; don't worry more about me. I'm getting strong faster than I ever did before. See."
He paced back and forth with considerable vim in his movements. "Why," he continued, stopping in front of Lucy and kissing her gently on the cheek, "I feel better right now than I have for a long time—better inside, you know."
Lucy did not understand exactly what he meant by the "inside," but she did not puzzle her head about it. She was happy to know that her father was so well and that Chester was speeding to her. The day promised to be fair, and the drive to the station would be delightful. She was looking out of the window.
"Lucy," said her father, placing his hand on her shoulder, "you need not tell Captain Brown the little secrets you have learned; and I think your Uncle Gilbert need not know any more than he does. It is just as well for all concerned that these things remain to outward appearances just as they have in the past."
"All right, papa."
"We—Chester and you and I will know and understand and be happy. What else matters?"
"What, indeed."
"Now, there's the captain already. He's early; but perhaps he intends driving you about a bit first."