"You're just worrying yourself sick over it," said the older woman. "Why, you look all tuckered out, child,--I was shocked when you first came in. Now, don't be foolish, dear. I tell you it will be all right with David. I wrote him all about it, and--what's that you are saying?" "You don't suppose he will think I--think I did it, Aunt Nancy?" Alix whispered bleakly. "Think you--for the land's sake, Alix, what on earth are you saying? Are you stark, staring crazy? You come right upstairs and get into bed this minute. My land, I--I believe you're going to be sick. You've got the queerest look in your eyes. Come on, now, deary, and--" "I am sick,--just sick with unhappiness, Aunt Nancy," sobbed the girl. "You don't know,--you don't understand. Oh, he couldn't believe I would do such a thing as THAT! He couldn't think me so cruel, and wicked and--and spiteful." "Now, listen to me," said Mrs. Strong sternly. "What is the meaning of all this? What has happened between you and David that makes you talk like this? Tell me,--tell me this minute, Alix Crown." "Hasn't he told you--written you about ANYTHING?" cried the girl. "I don't know what you are driving at, Alix, but whatever it is I KNOW David hasn't got anything against you that would make you say such things as you've just been saying." She hesitated a moment and then laid her hand on Alix's head. "I've been wondering a whole lot of late, Alix. Have you and David had a--a misunderstanding?" "We--we don't like each other as--as we used to, Aunt Nancy," said the girl, lifting her head almost defiantly to look David's mother full in the eyes. "Is it David's fault?" asked Mrs. Strong after a moment. "I--I wish you wouldn't ask me anything more about it. At least, not now." "Is it David's fault?" demanded the other once more, insistently. "I will say this much; it isn't my fault," replied Alix stiffly. Mrs. Strong smiled,--a tender, loving smile. "I think I could straighten everything out if David were only here," she said. "I would take you both across my knee and give you a good sound spanking. It used to work beautifully when you were children,--and I think it would work now. I--I wonder if it would help matters any if I were to spank--No, I'm sure it wouldn't. To do any good at all David would have to be here to see me spanking you and to beg me to let you off and give it to him just twice as hard." "Oh, Aunt Nancy," cried Alix eagerly, "if you only WOULD! How I wish I were a little girl again! And David a little boy!" Then she fled from the room. Nancy Strong put her hand over her eyes and sighed. "I wish David were here," she said to herself. "If he were only here today."