"It was the fault of too much excitement. Seventh heaven with you for
hours, and then my news on top of it."

"What news?"

The Doctor explained. "It is going to tear me to pieces if she takes
it like this. She was half-delirious all night, and begged and
begged--"

"She doesn't want you to go?"

The Doctor ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, we've been a lot
to each other. But she's such a little sport--and patriotic--nobody
more so. She won't feel this way when she's herself again."

Derry stood drearily at the window looking out. "You think then she
won't be able to see me for several days? I had planned such a lot of
things."

The Doctor dropped a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Life has a way of
spoiling our plans, hasn't it? I had hoped for old age with Jean's
mother."

That was something for youth to think of--of life spoiling things--of
lonely old age!

"I wish," Derry said, after a pause, "that you'd let me marry her
before you go."

"No, no," sharply, "she's too young, Drake. And you haven't known each