She thought bitterly of what her psychology teacher had once said, “We’re very complicated creatures, and how we sometimes hate to face the truth.” And another time he had talked to their class about how human beings compensate for losses and disappointments. Yes, that was exactly what she was trying to do in making herself a private secret-service agent. She imagined she could do something big enough in uncovering some dastardly plot against her country. This would compensate for her not being able to do more to help the war effort. The fact that Billy had been her stumbling block all along, even though she adored him, made her feel all the more miserable now that his safety was involved.
It was late when her tired body and tortured mind succumbed to weariness and she slept. She slept so heavily then she didn’t even rouse for the anticipated phone call at six o’clock. Jane was in the room when she opened her eyes, then sat up suddenly, ashamed that she had overslept.
“Has Dad phoned?”
Jane’s kindly face told her that he had and that the news was good. “Yas’m, sho did. Billy’s bettah, an’ yo’ Pah say you kin come see him.”
Kitty scarcely had patience to eat her breakfast, which Jane insisted she must have before she left. Even with that delay she was at the hospital in an hour after waking. It was good to see her father smiling a welcome from the foot of the bed, and to see Billy drinking some milk through a tube, while the day nurse held a glass near his pillow.
“Oh darling, you do look better,” she said eagerly.
“I’m all right, Kit. I like it at the hospital.”
“Kit’s going to stay with you while Daddy gets some sleep.” She turned to her father and added, “You must go home and sleep some, Dad.” His hollow eyes betrayed the fact that he had been up all night.
“I’ve had breakfast, but bed will be very welcome. If Billy’s very good today maybe we’ll take him home tomorrow. That new bike will be waiting if he takes his medicine well and gets strong in a hurry.”
“I’ll be a good boy, Dad,” Billy promised.