The young man's face regarded her attentively. He leaned forward. "I'm taking too much of your time. I didn't think how busy you must be. I'll go now. And thank you for letting me talk." He stood up. Aunt Jane reached out a hand. "Sit down, Mr. Dalton. That's what my time is for--to talk about things.... What was it you said you wished?" He sat down. "I'd like to tell you--if you really have time.... And it won't take so long--" He was looking at it thoughtfully. "You see, I've never made good, because I've never stayed long in one place. That is what frets Edith--what she can't understand." "It's hard for a woman--always changing round," said Aunt Jane. "Hard on the furniture." He smiled. "We haven't changed house so many times. It's been mostly in the city here. But each time I've had to start all over.... After we were married, I went in with Clark & Lyman; that's Edith's father--George B. Lyman; and I thought I was fixed for life. And it wasn't six months before I had to move on." "I suppose you'd done something they didn't like," commented Aunt Jane. He laughed. "It was what I _didn't_ do! They said I didn't take my chances. Edith's father said I didn't." "Take risks, you mean?" "No.... Chances to make money--he said I let the best chances go by." "Why did you do that?" asked Aunt Jane. Her face, turned to him, was full of kindly interest. He sat with his hands thrust in his pockets, looking at her. "That's what I've never been able to tell Edith," he said slowly. "But I think I can tell you--if you'll let me.... I've been thinking about it a good deal since she's been ill and I think it's because I always see something ahead--something bigger--that I'd rather work for." The hands thrust themselves deeper into his pockets and his face grew intent. "I feel it so strongly--that it seems wasteful to stop to pick up the twopenny bits they're scrambling for." He threw back his shoulders. "Well, I'm going to try.... I've made up my mind--She means more to me than anything in the world and if she can't be happy, I'm going to give it up.... That's all! And thank you for letting me talk it out. It's done me more good than you know!" He held out his hand. Aunt Jane took it slowly. "I don't quite think I'd give up, Mr. Dalton." She was looking at him through her glasses, and the young man had a sudden sense that her face was beautiful. "I don't think I'd give up--not quite yet--if I was you." XXIX Dr. Carmon and Aunt Jane stood in the sitting-room of Suite A. The door to the bedroom was ajar, and through it Miss Canfield could be seen moving about and waiting on Herman Medfield. Aunt Jane went quietly to the door and drew it together with noiseless touch. "How is he?" she asked.