"It isn't so worse," said Fred. "I'm a dandy camper and I'll take care of King myself. The doctors told me just what to stuff him with, and, believe me, I'm going to stuff him. He doesn't slide off this planet till he gets some of the justice that's coming to him. Not if I know it. I haven't talked to him yet about my discovery of the letters, but I told Henry Radcliffe all about it the night before we left and he can do as he pleases about telling Harriet." "Mr. Whitcomb, you have earned my life-long gratitude," repeated Mrs. Porter. "Between us we will put that dear boy on his feet again. I'm off to see him. Good-bye." Linda felt hurt that not by word or look did her friend recognize the misery Mrs. Porter must have known she was suffering. Lightly that lady sped away around the clump of birches and was gone; and Fred Whitcomb's sturdy shoulders dropped down again near Linda's rock divan. "I thought you were looking great when I came up a few minutes ago," he said, examining her, "but it seems to me you might raise a little more color in this perfectly wonderful air." "You've given me a great shock, Fred." "Well, I hated to seem to disparage your father in any way," he returned tenderly, "but I knew--I just knew, Linda, you'd want to see King get fair play." "I do. I have blamed him cruelly myself." "How could you help it when everybody was feeling the same way? Does he know you blamed him?" "Yes." "I wonder if that had anything to do with his not seeing you off that morning in Chicago?" "Probably." "I blamed him for that; but now," added Whitcomb, happily, "everything is understood. We mustn't have another sorrowful minute." Linda's lips were looking as if there were only sorrow on earth. "There's a great reaction in Chicago in favor of your father," he added. "The excitement has calmed down, and when Lambert Barry is spoken of now it's with the same old respect, Linda; the same old respect." "And Bertram has done that," she said slowly. "Indeed, he has, and as he comes back to strength he's going to feel pretty good over it, too, I can tell you. So--take a brace, Linda. I'm so happy to see you, I can hardly contain myself." "What a good fellow you are, Fred!" "You mean for standing by King? Think what he's done for me. Snatched my savings like brands from the burning. My boss, too, is a big beneficiary by King's efforts, and he gave me an extra long vacation so I could come up here and look after him." "Is he very weak?"