She hesitated.  “It is very late.”

“Has young Drake arrived?”

“Yes.  He has gone to bed.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.  You can meet me downstairs.”

The General stirred.  “Miss Merritt.”

She hung up the receiver and went to him at once.

“Has the Doctor come?”

“No.  But he has just telephoned.  He will be here shortly.”

His sick old eyes surveyed her.  “I never saw you before without your cap—­”

“No.”

“You are very pretty.”

She smiled down at him.  “It is nice of you to say it.”

“Don’t wear your cap again, I don’t like uniforms for women.”

“But when I am on duty I must wear it.  You know enough of discipline to understand that I must.”

“Yes.  But women don’t need discipline, God bless ’em.”  His old eyes twinkled.  “Has Derry come in?”

“Yes, and gone to bed.  He asked after you.”

“And it’s Thanksgiving morning?”

“Yes.”

“And no turkey for me.  But you’ll get me a glass of wine?”

“I’m not sure.  I’ll ask the Doctor.”

She sat beside him until he again dozed.  Then made her way once more to the room where the lovely gowns were piled high on the bed, and the jewels sparkled on the dressing-table.  Quickly and noiselessly she put them in place.  Then she tried to take off the collar, but the snaps held.  She tugged and pressed, but with no result.  She was afraid to pull too hard lest she break the snaps.

At last she was forced to button the collar of her linen gown above it.  She smoothed her hair and put on her cap.  The room as she surveyed it showed no sign of her occupation.  She put out the light and returned to her patient.

She was at the front door to let the Doctor in when he arrived.

“The General is awake, and wants to see you.  I’ll come down when you go, and we can talk.”

As they entered the shadowed room together, the old man opened his eyes.  “Hello, McKenzie.  Nurse, what made you put on your cap?  I don’t like it.”

“I shouldn’t dare leave it off when the Doctor’s here.”

“Does she have to take your orders or mine, McKenzie?”

“Mine,” smiling; “that’s one of the perquisites of my profession, to have all the nurses under my thumb.”

“Don’t you try to please your patients?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell her to leave off her cap.”

He began to cough.  The Doctor bent over him.  Hilda helped to make the old man comfortable.

When at last the General drifted into slumber, the two went down together.  The hall clock pointed to four.

They stood at the foot of the great stairway.  From the landing the painted lady smiled at them.

“Hilda, I am going to France.”

She expressed no surprise.  “When did you make up your mind?”