Nobody said much of anything unless it became necessary, but before bedtime four pregnant sentences had been uttered.

“That nurse looked as if she knew something,” said Max, suddenly.

“There’s not a man in the city equal to Wood,” declared Alec.

“Seems as if she couldn’t smile quite like that if she was going to be awfully sick,” was Bob’s contribution to the sum total of hopefulness.

But it was Uncle Timothy, as usual, who hit the nail on the head.  “Boys,” said he, “we can do our part—­on our knees.”

And, to a man, they nodded.  Suddenly, they could not speak.

CHAPTER IV

ARGUMENTS AND ANSWERS

“I’m sure that’s as good a report as we could hope for,” urged Josephine Burnside.  But the anxiety in her eyes somewhat qualified her cheerfulness.

Maxwell Lane shook his head doubtfully.

“’Holding her own’—­that’s all they’ve said the last three days,” he said.

“Yes, but that’s a good deal at this stage.  It’s the end of the second week.”

“She’s out of her head.”

“They usually are, I think.”

The pair emerged from the door of the hospital.

“Well, I’m glad I met you here,” said Max.  “It’s kind of you to come so often.”

“It’s not kind at all.  I couldn’t stay away.  And if I could, Jarvis wouldn’t let me.  No telephone messages will satisfy him.”

“Good old fellow.  How are his eyes?”

“Worse than ever.  Mother and I take turns reading to him, while he tramps the floor.  We should try to get him off somewhere into the country, but he won’t leave until Sally is out of the hospital.  And I’ve no idea he will leave then, he’ll be so anxious to do things for her.”

“Good old chap,” murmured Max again, absently.  He was looking at Josephine as if an idea had struck him.  “Are you going to do anything in particular the rest of the afternoon?”

“I don’t know that I am.  Why?”

“Don’t you want to invite me to drive out into the country in your trap?  The roads are pretty good now, and I ought to go out and take a look at the farm.  Besides, I’m too restless to keep still.  Saturday afternoons and Sundays are tough to get through with, just now.”

“I shall be delighted.  Come home with me, and we’ll start right away.  I should like to see the place again, too.”

Fifteen minutes by trolley-car, and ten to allow for the ordering of the trap, and the two young people were driving away.  Josephine held the reins over the back of a fine gray mare that seemed glad to get out of the stable on this sunny May afternoon.  The roads were even better than Max had predicted, and the seven-mile drive was soon over.

“There are the pines.”  Josephine pointed with her whip.  “How far away they show, against the lighter foliage.  I’m fond of pines—­they make me think of the mountains.  You’re lucky to have that grove.  If you ever live here, it will be a lovely spot for hot summer afternoons.”