After the first five minutes Agatha paid no heed to his words, and could bear to stay in the room only when she was able to do something to soothe or comfort him.  She was not wholly unfamiliar with illness and the trouble that comes in its train, but the sight of James, with his unrecognizing eyes and his wits astray, a superb engine gone wild, brought a sharp and hitherto unknown pain to her throat.  She stood over his bed, holding his hands when he would reach frenziedly into the air after some object of his feverish desire; she coaxed him back to his pillow when he fancied he must run to catch something that was escaping him.  It took nerve and strength to care for him; unceasing vigilance and ingenuity were required in circumventing his erratic movements.

And through it all there was something about his clean, honest mind and person that stirred only affectionate pity.  He was a child, taking a child’s liberties.  Mrs. Stoddard brooded over him already, as a mother over her dearest son; Mr. Hand had turned gentle as a woman and gave the service of love, not of the eye.  His skill in managing almost rivaled Mrs. Stoddard’s.  James accepted Hand’s ministrations as a matter of course, became more docile under his treatment, and watched for him when he disappeared.  Indeed, the whole household was taxed for James; and Agatha, deeply distressed as she was, throbbed with gratitude that she could help care for him, if only for an hour.

Thus it was that the two women, eating their supper and looking out over Hercules Thayer’s pleasant garden, were silent.  Mrs. Stoddard was thinking about the duties of the night, Agatha was swallowed up in the miseries of the last hour.  Mrs. Stoddard was the first to rise.  She was tipping off on her fingers a number of items which Agatha did not catch, saying “Hm!” and “Yes!” to herself.  Despite her deep anxiety, Mrs. Stoddard was in her element.  She had nothing less than genius in nursing.  She was cheerful, quick in emergencies, steady under the excitements of the sick-room, and faithful in small, as well as large, matters.  Moreover, she excelled most doctors in her ability to interpret changes and symptoms, and in her ingenuity in dealing with them.  Her two days with James had given her an understanding of the case, and she was ready with new devices for his relief.

Agatha finished her tea and joined Mrs. Stoddard as she stood looking out into the twilight, seeing things not visible to the outward eye.

“Yes, that’s it,” she ended abruptly, thinking aloud; then including Agatha without any change of tone, she went on:  “I think we’d better change our plans a little.  I’m going up-stairs now to stay while your Mr. Hand goes over to the house for me.  There are several things I want from home.”

Agatha had no conception of having an opinion that was contrary to Mrs. Stoddard’s, so completely was she won by her tower-like strength.