And K. would stand in the doorway, quietly smoking, or go back to his room and lock away in his trunk the great German books on surgery with which he and Max had been working out a case. So K. sat by the dining-room table and listened to her talk of Max that last evening together. “I told Mrs. Rosenfeld to-day not to be too much discouraged about Johnny. I had seen Dr. Max do such wonderful things. Now that you are such friends,”--she eyed him wistfully,--“perhaps some day you will come to one of his operations. Even if you didn't understand exactly, I know it would thrill you. And--I'd like you to see me in my uniform, K. You never have.” She grew a little sad as the evening went on. She was going to miss K. very much. While she was ill she had watched the clock for the time to listen for him. She knew the way he slammed the front door. Palmer never slammed the door. She knew too that, just after a bang that threatened the very glass in the transom, K. would come to the foot of the stairs and call:-- “Ahoy, there!” “Aye, aye,” she would answer--which was, he assured her, the proper response. Whether he came up the stairs at once or took his way back to Katie had depended on whether his tribute for the day was fruit or sweetbreads. Now that was all over. They were such good friends. He would miss her, too; but he would have Harriet and Christine and--Max. Back in a circle to Max, of course. She insisted, that last evening, on sitting up with him until midnight ushered in Christmas Day. Christine and Palmer were out; Harriet, having presented Sidney with a blouse that had been left over in the shop from the autumn's business, had yawned herself to bed. When the bells announced midnight, Sidney roused with a start. She realized that neither of them had spoken, and that K.'s eyes were fixed on her. The little clock on the shelf took up the burden of the churches, and struck the hour in quick staccato notes. Sidney rose and went over to K., her black dress in soft folds about her. “He is born, K.” “He is born, dear.” She stooped and kissed his cheek lightly. Christmas Day dawned thick and white. Sidney left the little house at six, with the street light still burning through a mist of falling snow. The hospital wards and corridors were still lighted when she went on duty at seven o'clock. She had been assigned to the men's surgical ward, and went there at once. She had not seen Carlotta Harrison since her mother's death; but she found her on duty in the surgical ward. For the second time in four months, the two girls were working side by side. Sidney's recollection of her previous service under Carlotta made her nervous. But the older girl greeted her pleasantly. “We were all sorry to hear of your trouble,” she said. “I hope we shall get on nicely.” Sidney surveyed the ward, full to overflowing. At the far end two cots had been placed. “The ward is heavy, isn't it?”