“I’se locked up all de back. You all wants breakfas’ pow’ful soon, don’ you, Miss Nannie?” the negress inquired in the doorway, not accepting Mrs. Merwent’s hasty invitation to enter. “Yes, Katy, I want early breakfast,” Nannie informed her. “Good night, Miss Nannie. Good night, Mr. Winter.” “Good night,” responded Mrs. Merwent. John made no response. It was after midnight when Nannie declared that she must retire in order to rest herself for her journey. John switched on the light. “John----” she hesitated. “Yes, Nannie?” “There is nothing in the world so unpleasant to me as asking for money, but----” She paused. “Yes, Nannie?” John repeated, his tone warm. Her face flushed under the rouge. “_Dear_ boy!” she murmured gratefully. “You see I didn’t have time to write to Professor Walsh, and there are all the expenses of the journey,” she added apologetically. John took out his pocket book with trembling fingers. “I don’t see where _he_ comes into it,” he grumbled unsteadily, taking out some money. “Will this be enough?” Rather shamefacedly he held up two bills. Mrs. Merwent glanced at the denominations as she received them. “Oh, John, you oughtn’t--ought you?” she protested weakly. “There would be more than that if I had it to give!” he insisted. “When I get to Russellville---- Oh, John!” Nannie crumpled the money in one hand. The other she placed on his shoulder. He met her eyes. She leaned forward with a hasty movement and kissed his cheek. “I may not have a chance tomorrow,” she whispered, then, turning quickly into the hall, went up the steps. John heard her door close. He ascended the stairs after her very slowly. XXXIII Nannie’s alarm clock roused her when the sky was yet grey with dawn, but the details of her toilette were so exactingly executed and the final preparations for departure so numerous that the air had already begun to lose its early freshness when she emerged from her room. “Lucy!” she called to her daughter in a flustered manner. “Please come and help me finish packing these suit cases.” Lucy obeyed. When all was ready Mrs. Merwent halted in front of her. “You are a hard woman, Lucy. Maybe we’ll never see each other again.” “I haven’t any hard feelings,” Lucy reasserted, staring over her mother’s head. “Well, let’s have breakfast then. I don’t want to be late and hurried at the last. It makes you look like a fright.” The two descended the stairs. “I can’t eat in such a rush,” Mrs. Merwent complained at the table. “I _do_ hope there’ll be a good diner on the train.” She turned to John, “When does the suburban leave, John?” “Oh, I’ve ordered a machine for you, Nannie. It’s muddy from the rain last night and it will be much more comfortable going down.” “Thank you, John. You are always thinking of other people’s comfort and welfare. It was just like you to do that.” The automobile came as they were finishing the meal. Nannie ran into the kitchen. “Good-bye, Katy,” she said.