“You’re right, doctor,” the clergyman replied.

“I shall send two messages at once.”

In less than two days Anna Royanna entered the room where Rod was lying.  She had been driven from the station by a fast team.  Her face was pale and worn, clearly showing that little or no sleep had come to her eyes the night before.  In fact, she had not slept since she had received Parson Dan’s message.  Everything else was forgotten.  Only one thing mattered to her, and that was the boy lying sick unto death in far-off Hillcrest.

Rod had been more restless than ever during the night, and the fever was at its highest.  All realised that this was the crisis, and that a short time would decide everything.  He was still calling and raving as the singer entered the room.  Stepping quickly to his side, she placed her hand upon his hot forehead.

“Hush,” she soothed.  “I am here.  It is Anna Royanna.”

That touch, more than the words, seemed to have a magic effect.  The parched burning lips ceased to move, the staring eyes closed, and with a deep sigh Rod turned his head on the pillow, and sank into a peaceful sleep.  Lovingly, and with eyes brimming with tears, the woman stood for some time and watched the boy.  Then a light step aroused her.  It was the doctor.

“The turn has come,” he whispered.  “You were just in time.”

Rod rapidly recovered, and there was joy not only at the rectory but throughout the entire parish.  Captain Josh was almost beside himself with joy, while the scouts plucked up sufficient courage to meet at Headquarters to talk about the accident, and their patrol-leader’s illness.

It was a great day for Rod when he was able to sit up and receive visitors.  Captain Josh had been often in the room, but so far the scouts had not been allowed to come.  When at last they were given permission to visit the invalid, they could not get to the rectory fast enough.  They were surprised to see Rod so thin and white, and when they left after their brief visit, they hurried back to Headquarters for another long talk.

Rod was never so happy as when Anna Royanna was with him.  Many were the stories she told, and she would often read to him.  She seemed to be in no hurry about going away, and this pleased the boy, as he wanted her to stay until after Christmas.  They were to have a big time on Christmas Day, so he told her.  Captain Josh and the scouts were coming for dinner, and perhaps Whyn would be home.

One day Rod noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Royal seemed happier than usual when they came into his room.  Though no parents could have been kinder than they ever were to him, yet now there appeared a marked difference.  He could not explain what it was, but at times he found them both watching him with a new expression in their eyes.  He even caught Mrs. Royal brushing away a tear, which surprised him.

“What makes you cry, grandma?” he asked.