"I can't take 'em!" she said.... "And we do need the wing for contagion--" Her fingers had found the slip and she took it out longingly, and laid it beside the other on the table and glanced up at him with a little, tremulous shake. "I can't take it--if you were offering it to me just because you thought you were--in love with me!" She looked at it regretfully. "I did hope it wasn't that!" she said softly. "But it is!" The tone was grave, with a little line of hope running through. "Take it, Jane!" he said gently. "I am not asking anything. It's yours, you know!" She shook her head. "It seems as if it wouldn't be quite--fair-- And we do need the new wing for contagion--the worst way!" He took up the two checks and folded them in his thin, quiet fingers and lifted the little bag. "You will take them," he said. He slipped them into the bag and closed it. "Money is only good for what it will buy-- Mine does not seem able to buy anything better worth while at present.... Besides"--he dropped the little bag and crossed the hearth--"I shall not spoil your life--or mine! You're going to ask me to visit you, you know, in your little home!" He was smiling at her. "You're tired!" she said with quick remorse. But he lifted a hand. "I'm all right. I'm not going to play on your sympathies that way!" He sat down. "I'm all right!" "You're going to bed!" said Aunt Jane. She got up and rang the bell. Then she came and stood by his chair and looked at him and hesitated.... And he smiled at her. "It's all right, Jane." "I'm old enough to be your mother," she said ruefully. "Nonsense!" "Well, I _feel_ old enough! I feel like a mother to everybody, I guess!" She bent to him.... "And I'm sorry!" she said swiftly. She kissed him on the cheek--a full, loving, motherly kiss--and drew back from the detaining hand. "Now you are going to bed," she said practically. "Here's Henry!" She crossed to the man and gave directions for Herman Medfield's comfort; she looked regretfully at the figure sitting in the big chair before the fire as she gave them. She crossed to it again. "Good-by," she said. He took the cool, firm fingers in his, and held them close and lifted them to his lips. "Good-by," he said. Aunt Jane went quietly from the room. Henry, with discreet face, was removing the tea-things. He lifted the tray and then set it down and went to the window, pushing back the heavy curtains. "The storm is over, sir," he said. The fresh, full light flooded in. Henry put out the candles one by one and took up his tray. "Mr. Julian sent word as he'll be home to dinner, sir--with a young lady--" He paused. "Shall I lay the table for her?" "Yes--she will stay to dinner. She will be here often now," said Herman Medfield. "Very good, sir. Thank you, sir." Henry took up his tray and went out.