“I know, but she is Ardelia's daughter, too. I don't see how we can tell her, Hosy; not until she's well and strong again.” I was never more thoroughly angry in my life. My patience was exhausted. “Look here, Hephzy,” I cried: “what is it you are leading up to? You're not proposing--actually proposing that we adopt this girl, are you?” “No--no--o. Not exactly that, of course. But we might take her into the country somewhere and--” “Oh, DO be sensible! Do you realize what that would mean? We should have to give up our trip, stop sightseeing, stop everything we had planned to do, and turn ourselves into nurses running a sanitarium for the benefit of a girl whose father's rascality made your father a pauper. And, not only do this, but be treated by her as if--as if--” “There, there, Hosy! I know what it will mean. I know what it would mean to you and I don't mean for you to do it. You've done enough and more than enough. But with me it's different. _I_ could do it.” “You?” “Yes. I've got some money of my own. I could find a nice, cheap, quiet boardin'-house in the country round here somewhere and she and I could go there and stay until she got well. You needn't go at all; you could go off travelin' by yourself and--” “Hephzy, what are you talking about?” “I mean it. I've thought it all out, Hosy. Ever since Ardelia and I had that last talk together and she whispered to me that--that--well, especially ever since I knew there was a Little Frank I've been thinkin' and plannin' about that Little Frank; you know I have. He--she isn't the kind of Little Frank I expected, but she's, my sister's baby and I can't--I CAN'T, turn her away to be sick and die. I can't do it. I shouldn't dare face Ardelia in--on the other side if I did. No, I guess it's my duty and I'm goin' to go on with it. But with you it's different. She isn't any real relation to you. You've done enough--and more than enough--as it is.” This was the climax. Of course I might have expected it, but of course I didn't. As soon as I recovered, or partially recovered, from my stupefaction I expostulated and scolded and argued. Hephzy was quiet but firm. She hated to part from me--she couldn't bear to think of it; but on the other hand she couldn't abandon her Ardelia's little girl. The interview ended by my walking out of the room and out of Bancroft's in disgust. I did not return until late in the afternoon. I was in better humor then. Hephzy was still in the sitting-room; she looked as if she had been crying. “Hosy,” she said, as I entered, “I--I hope you don't think I'm too ungrateful. I'm not. Really I'm not. And I care as much for you as if you was my own boy. I can't leave you; I sha'n't. If you say for us to--” I interrupted.