“You can do that.”

“I’m not writing.”

“Not?” Max was surprised.  “You and Sally haven’t quarrelled, have you?”

“Not at all.  But I’ve no reason to think she would care to hear from me.  You fellows are undoubtedly telling her all the news.”

Jarvis flung a fresh log on the fire as he spoke, then took his place on the hearth-rug with his back to the blaze and his face in the shadow.  Max stared at him interestedly, and was about to begin a discussion of the subject when his companion abruptly opened up a new line of conversation, in relation to plans for the farm, and the moment for asking certain questions did not occur again.

The days went by, brief letters from Sally arriving at frequent intervals.  They reported very slow improvement in the invalid, with a return of strength so tardy that she still felt she should not leave him.  The home in which they were was not that of relatives, and she was unwilling to leave the responsibility of Mr. Rudd’s care to those who had expected to have him with them only for a brief visit.  A month passed, and then, just as her brothers were making up their minds that the limit had certainly been reached and her duty done, came a letter which gave a blow to their hopes.  It read: 

“DEAREST FAMILY: 

“Doctor Wood has ordered Uncle Timmy South.  The doctor says he positively must get out of this wretched climate, and he must not think of coming back before spring—­and spring well advanced.  If you could see what a shadow of himself the poor dear is you would understand that I simply must do what I have agreed to do—­go with him.  He will pay all my expenses.  I think he must have quite a bit more property than we have known of, the matter of finances seems to trouble him so little.  Of course I know how you will feel about this—­and I want you to believe that I feel a thousand times sorrier than you possibly can.  But I know there is nothing else to do.  He can’t possibly go alone, and I can’t see mother’s only brother have to hire some stranger to be with him when he has a niece who loves him dearly and owes him for a deal of love he has always lavished on her.  It isn’t as if you needed me in ways that Joanna couldn’t supply—­for actual food and drink, I mean.  Of course I hope—­I know—­you all miss your little sister.  I’m afraid I should feel very badly if I thought you didn’t!

“We plan to start Thursday evening, December third.  We can’t make quite as good connections as I did in coming, so, according to Doctor Wood’s figuring with the time-tables, we shall go through the home city at one o’clock on Saturday morning.  We shall be in the station twenty minutes, being switched around, and—­well, I don’t like to ask anybody to stay up till that hour, but—­I shall be up, and looking out—­and—­and—­I’m almost afraid that if I didn’t see anybody, I should shed just a tear or two!  You see I haven’t really cried once yet—­and I don’t want to break my record.