Van lay very still after the door had closed, and to keep him company in his solitude back swarmed all those dreary thoughts that Bob's cheery presence had for the time being banished; with a rush they came to jeer, taunt, and terrify.
The little while lengthened into an hour and on into a second one.
The room became intolerable.
Then upon the stone floor of the corridor outside sounded Bob's foot.
"Still here, Van?" he cried, coming in with elastic step and banging the door after him.
His face was wreathed in smiles.
"What's happened to you that you look like that?" questioned Van, sitting up among the pillows.
"Like what?"
"Why, as if somebody had sent you a Christmas-tree or made you president of a railroad?"
Bob laughed.