Summer heat, blown in by a humid south wind, touched the sky with an intense blue, against which one long, thin curl of cloud shone like a silver feather, and Brooklyn parks and lawns shook their green banners of grass blades and young, silken foliage. In the middle of a block of old brick tenement houses, Mr. Herriott entered an open door, where two children fought over a wailing black kitten, and went up the inner stairway to a narrow hall, on which opened several doors bearing cards inscribed with the name of occupants of the rooms. At one, labelled "Mrs. Dane," he rapped. It was opened partly, and held ajar. "Well, who knocked?" "One of Leighton's friends. Can I see him?" "Not to-day. He is not well enough for visitors." "May I come in and see you?" "Why should you? What do you want?" Before he could reply, a weak voice pleaded: "Please, mother! It is Mr. Herriott: let him in. He has been so good to me--please--please!" "If I do, you are not to talk and bring back that spell of coughing." The door was swung fully open, and Mr. Herriott confronted "Juno." "You are Mr. Herriott, as I supposed. Walk in, and excuse the confusion of the rooms. I was up all night, and have not put things in order." She wore a dark skirt and white muslin sacque, loose at the throat, ungirded, and the sleeves were rolled up, exposing the symmetry of her dimpled white arms. A rich, lovely red stained her lips and cheeks--perhaps from embarrassment, probably from the heat of the oil-stove, on which, evidently, breakfast had been recently prepared. She pointed to an adjoining room, where Leighton lay on a cot close to the open window. "Oh, sir, are they really for me?" as Mr. Herriott laid the basket and flowers beside him. "Look, mother! Grapes, grapes! And the smell of the carnations! Was there ever anything so sweet? I don't know how to thank you, sir. I wish I could say something, but when my heart is full I just can't tell it." His little hot hand caught Mr. Herriott's, and the thin fingers twined caressingly about it. "You are not to thank me, and you must not talk. Remember, that was the condition upon which I was allowed to see you. Eat your grapes while your mother tells me about you." "You will spoil him. I can't give him such luxuries as hothouse fruit and flowers, though now and then he has his bunch of violets." "When was the doctor here?" "Friday. He changed the medicine, but I can see no benefit as yet." "If you think it would not tire him too much, I should like to take him out for a drive." "Thank you, but I could not consent to that." "Why not? The fresh air is balmy to-day, and would do him good. I have a carriage at the door, and if you are unwilling to trust the boy with me, I should be glad to take you also. May I?" Her blue eyes glittered and her lips straightened their curves. "Most certainly not." "Pardon me, madam; my interest in your child----"