"That is by far the wiser plan," Huntington assented promptly.
"Take me with you, Monty," Merry whispered; "I wish we never need be separated again."
"Stay here, sweetheart, and plan out with the dear mother how soon that day may be. I have been waiting too long already!"
The nurse met Huntington as he entered the door, and replied to the question his face asked sooner than his lips.
"There is a remarkable improvement," she announced cheerfully. "The doctor was here this morning, and left word for you that the progress is beyond his understanding."
"Splendid!" he cried. "Where shall I find Hamlen?
"In the library, Mr. Huntington; it is all I can do to persuade him to go anywhere else."
Huntington mounted the stairs two steps at time. "Hamlen!" he cried, "where are you?"
"Here!" a well-contained voice replied as he entered the room, "in your library, sitting in your favorite chair, eating your food, drinking your rum—in short, exercising every prerogative a man can assume who has unfettered himself from worldly responsibilities, and awaits the command of his master."