"That's very generous of you, Billy," she answered; but her tone lacked its usual vivacity, and her step dragged slightly, as they moved away together among the Chinese lanterns which edged the walks in double line. The crowd was here, too; but Billy steered her through it, past the houses and the old gymnasium, and out to the far end of the campus. At the steps of the observatory, he halted. "It's quiet here, and we can get some good of the moon," he said. "Let's sit down here, unless you are afraid of taking cold." "The idea! I'm not an alum.; besides, it's a warm night." "How will you stand two commencements, Ted?" he asked, settling himself at her feet and turning to look up at her. "Better than my gowns will," she said, showing him a long rent in her skirt. He laughed. "You always were hard on your clothes, Teddy. I shall never forget the sound of rending garments which heralded your first approach." "Out of the apple-tree? I remember. I also remember the lecture Hope gave me." "Those were good old days," he said contentedly, as he opened and shut her fan. "These are better," she answered, looking down at him, as he sat there in the moonlight. "I can't make it seem as if you ever lived in a chair." He looked up, shaking back his hair with a quick motion of his head. "It's over now, thank Heaven! Still, it brought us together, after all. Teddy, I'm going to miss you. I wish I needn't go." "But you must," she said hastily, startled at something in his tone. "It isn't everybody who has the double chance to study for his profession and to be treated by Dr. Brunald, at the same time." "If it only finishes the cure! But two years is such a long time." "Yes. But I'm going down with your mother to see you off, you know; and then you'll write often." "Of course. But so much can happen in two years." "I hope there can. Do you remember my three wishes?" "No. Yes. Seems to me I do. What were they?" "It was one day, under the trees in your grounds. I was in a confidential mood, I remember, and I was moved to tell them to you. They included a bicycle, a college course, and a successful career of authorship." "I remember. You've two of them, Ted; and I believe you'll get the other." "Wait till you come home. You may find me no nearer the end than I am now." "I doubt it, Teddy. You've the stuff in you. Write and tell me, when you make your first hit." "I will. I'm counting on your letters, Billy, for it's going to be very lonely without you." Her lip quivered again, and in the moonlight he saw an odd glitter in her eyes. He took her hand in his. "Ted," he said gently; "two years can't make any difference in such a friendship as ours. We've stuck together through thick and thin, and nothing can change us. Two years isn't a very long time to wait, and then, please God, I shall come home to you all, a strong man. After that, I shall never go away again--to leave you, dear."