I commended his manly decision. He was
rather rueful over the notion that he might have hurt Miss Talbert by
his bad conduct. I begged him not to distress himself, his first duty
now was to get well. I asked him if he would do me the favor, with the
doctor's permission, of taking the fresh air with his mother on the
terrace of the hospital about half-past five that afternoon. He looked
puzzled, but promised that he would do it; and so we parted.
After dinner I requested Peggy to make me happy by going for a little
drive in the runabout with me. She came down looking as fresh as a wild
rose, in a soft, white dress with some kind of light greenery about it,
and a pale green sash around her waist, and her pretty, sunset hair
uncovered. If there is any pleasanter avocation for an old fellow than
driving in an open buggy with a girl like that, I don't know it. She
talked charmingly: about my travels; about her college friends; about
Eastridge; and at last about her disappointment in not going to Europe.
By this time we were nearing the Whitman hospital.
"I suppose you have heard," said she, looking down at her bare hands
and blushing; "perhaps they have told you why I wanted especially to go
away."
"Yes, my dear child," I answered, "they have told me a lot of nonsense,
and I am heartily glad that it is all over.
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