“Johnnie isn’t a good man to explain to,” he said hopelessly. “Well, it can’t be helped. After all, I dare say I’d better be at work; college can wait for a few years. But won’t you come in?”
“No, I must get back. I—I just stopped in to tell you that Mrs. Whitney will be here at eight o’clock to take charge.”
“Who’s she?” asked Phin with wide eyes.
“Nurse, Phin. You see, the doc thought you’d better have one, and so a few of the fellows— We knew you didn’t want to stand the expense, but—you can pay it back, if you want to, any time you like; it’s just a sort of a loan, you know——”
Hansel ceased his embarrassed explanations, and glanced at Phin. A little smile was trembling around the latter’s mouth and his eyes had a misty look that sent Hansel retreating backward down the steps.
“And so—so she’ll come at eight,” murmured Hansel. “Good-by!”
Then he turned and hurried through the gate and up the street, whistling a bit breathlessly, and much out of tune.
“Of course when a fellow hasn’t had much sleep and gets worried like that,” he explained to himself, “it’s no wonder he wants to cry. I dare say I would!”