to me. I'm sick for want of your love. I'm giving up business for
the sake of enjoying it unrestrained. Your mother and I expect it.
We are going abroad for our health and we are going to take you
with us. Right now is where you begin your career as a nurse. You've
got to begin by taking care of the love that is sick and miserable.
We want it to live, my dear. Now, I want a direct decision--at
once: will you take charge of two patients on a long-contemplated
trip in search of love and rest--wages paid in advance?"

She looked at him, white-faced and stunned. He was putting it
before her fluently and in a new light. She saw what it was that he
considered that she owed them--the love of a daughter, after all.

An hour later she stood with Graydon on the rear platform of the
car. He was trying to talk calmly of the country through which
they were rushing and she was looking pensively down the rails that
slipped out behind them.

"We'll be in Chicago in three days," he remarked.

"Graydon, I have decided to go abroad for five or six months before
starting upon my work. They want me so much, you see," she said,
her voice a trifle uncertain.

"I wish I could have some power to persuade you," he said. Changing
his tone to one of brisk interest, he went on. "It is right, dear.
It will do you great good and it will be a joy to them. I'll miss
you."

"And I shall miss you, Graydon," she said, her eyes very solemn