Her laugh was anything but simple and natural. As she said "I do indeed," Mr. Hearn had joined her. "What would thee do in such an extreme case of mental disorder?" "Treat him as they did in the good old times: get a chain and lock him up on bread and water." "Would thee then enjoy thy dinner?" "That wouldn't matter if he were cured." "I think Mr. Morton would prefer hot New York to the remedies that Emily prescribes," said Mr. Hearn, with his smiling face full of vigilance. "Richard," said Mrs. Yocomb, putting both her hands on my arm, "I should feel more hurt than I can tell thee if thee leaves us now." "Why, Mrs. Yocomb! I didn't think you would care so much." "Then thee's very blind, Richard. I didn't think thee'd say that." "You cut deep now; suppose I must go?" "Why must thee go, just as thee is beginning to gain? Thee is as pale as a ghost this minute, and thee doesn't weigh much more than half as much as I do. Still, we don't want to put an unwelcome constraint on thee." I took her hand in both of mine as I said earnestly, "God forbid that I should ever escape from any constraint that you put upon me. Well, I won't go to-day, and I'll see what word my mail brings me." And I went up to my room, not trusting myself to glance at the real controller of my action, but hoping that something would occur which would make my course clear. As I came out of my room to go down to dinner, Miss Warren intercepted me, saying eagerly: "Mr. Morton, don't go. If you should be ill again in New York, as Mrs. Yocomb says--" "I won't be ill again." "Please don't go," she entreated. "I--I shouldn't have said what I did. You _would_ be ill; Mrs. Yocomb would never forgive me." "Miss Warren, I will do what you wish." "I wish what is best for you--only that." "I fear I cloud your happiness. You are too kind-hearted." She smiled a little bitterly. "Please stay--don't think of me." "Again, I repeat, you are too kind-hearted. Never imagine that I can be happy if you are not;" and I looked at her keenly, but she turned away instantly, saying: "Well, then, I'll be very happy, and will test you," and she returned to her room. "Mrs. Yocomb," I said quietly at the dinner-table, "I've written to the office saying that my friends do not think I'm well enough to return yet, and asking to have my leave extended." She beamed upon me as she replied: "Now thee's sensible." "For once," I added. "I expect to see thee clothed and in thy right mind yet," she said, with a little reassuring nod. "Your hopeful disposition is contagious," I replied, laughing. "I'd like to see thee get to the depot till we're ready to let thee go," said Reuben, emphatically. "Yes," added Mr. Yocomb, with his genuine laugh, "Reuben and I are in league against thee." "You look like two dark, muttering conspirators," I responded. "And to think thee was going away without asking me!" Zillah put in, shaking her bright curls at me.