"HE'S MY BEST FRIEND," SAID KOKO.
As he spoke, his glance wandered to the half-emptied shelf. Much as he loved his old books, however, he did not regret his recent sacrifice.
"You are a very good man, Mr Somers--very kind and good. I only wish," she added, with demure hesitation, "that I were a little younger, for then it would be quite proper for me to--to kiss you."
"Are you coming, Dora?" Miss Cook was growing impatient.
Koko turned to Dora with a smile and took her hand.
"If I were a little younger, perhaps it would not be proper," he said gently, "but as I'm ever so much older than you, don't you think that----"
"Why, yes," said Dora, and, bending swiftly, she kissed him.
CHAPTER XVI.
JIM'S PATIENTS.
Thereafter, watching his friend closely, Koko observed a gradual change overcoming Jim. Often enough Jim's merry smile flashed up, 'tis true, but when it died away the normal expression it left on his face was not quite what it had been of yore. There was a wistfulness in Jim's eyes nowadays that Koko had never seen there before.