“Is this better than the other life--the life among your friends?” “This is sweeter, for I am looking forward to a lifetime with the world.” She smiled and turned her head to rest it from the one position she had kept too long. “It will be a year before the world can get you; I am glad you have decided to take another degree, although you seem to know enough already.” “I know enough to realize just how little I do know, but the special course along lines that I am going to make my lifework is all that I shall try to master yet. Everything has its turns; I’ll learn it all in time, I hope.” “And then you’ll be great.” “More likely dead.” “Most great people are.” Her lips suddenly quivered. “You take it slow. I couldn’t bear to think of your dying.” “You are talking too much now. You and your grandpa take a rest. You both need it.” “He must be tired after five nights and days, but you are company. We can’t both leave you at once.” “I’ll play host now; go to sleep. I’ll be with you all the time.” “Grandpa, lie down over there on the lounge.” When he had humored her she cuddled down contentedly and went to sleep. With a ministering tenderness, Glenn kept watch over her. Typhoid fever was full of terrors to him. He hoped that her fever was only due to the cold she had taken at the falls. It was very penetrating. He had ached a little afterward and thought it was from being saturated with the dampness that day. Suppose the fear in her case was true. All that beautiful hair would have to be shaved off. He jealously resented this, caressing her hair as he looked at it. The doctor came later and said her condition was better and that she would be out in a few days. Glenn drew a breath of relief. He would stay during those few days. CHAPTER X. SWINGING her violin case by the handle, Esther started off through the cornfield, stopping now and again to pull a spray of morning glories that wreathed around the stalks to the tips of their tassels. By the time she got in sight of the Curtis house there were many of these branches trailing over her. It was still early. The heavy dew had dampened the dust on her shoes. She tried to brush it off with the leaves she had gathered, then bunching the blossoms of bright color together she fastened them on her breast. Just as she walked up Tagger was seated on the steps of the back porch, getting Glenn Andrews’ boots in order for him. “Let me have the brush a minute.” Esther took the brush, leaned over and cleaned the mud off of her own shoes. Then she took up one of the boots and began to polish it. A thrill of delight leaped through her at the thought. She was working for him. When she put it down the boot looked fresher and glossier than it could ever look under Tagger’s care. There was a sniffling sound and Esther looked behind her. Tagger stood scouring in his eyes with his shining fists, his small body quivering with sobs. “What’s the matter with you?”