Mary was doing some trifle to make her more comfortable. Trudy seemed too weak to answer but she smiled like a delighted child. She pointed a finger, the one wearing the diamond ring, to a chair beside the bed. Mary drew it up closer and sat down. "Now, my dear, you must put on a warm dressing gown and something to pad your chest--this nightgown is a farce," she said, sternly, rising. "Where shall I find something? Oh, Trudy--don't!" Trudy had halfway lifted herself in bed with sudden pain, moaning and laughing in terrible fashion. Mary caught her in her arms. Trudy lay back, quite contented. "My, but I've been a bluff," she said, tears on the white, shiny cheeks. "Gee, but that doctor takes his time, too. I had to beg something great before husband would go for you. He's awful mean, but I always told you he was, and he would have a fine time if I should die, wouldn't he?" More terrible little laughs as Trudy still nestled in the warm curve of Mary's arm. "You mustn't talk," Mary said. "That's an order." Gay tiptoed in to say that the doctor had returned but no nurse was available. They might get one in a few days. "I'll stay," Mary offered. Trudy smiled again. "Rather--have--Mary," she managed to gasp. The doctor was a preoccupied man who did not fancy late calls on foolish little creatures wearing silk nightgowns when they were nearing death. He gave some drastic orders and Gay was dispatched with a list of articles to be bought while Mary hunted high and low in the disorderly apartment, finally wrapping Trudy in thick draperies, the only sensible things she could discover. Trudy lay very still for a few minutes. Mary thought she was dozing until she said in an animated voice: "Did you see the ring? It's a wonderful stone." Wilfully she thrust her skeleton-like fingers out from the bed covers. Mary nodded. But Trudy was not to be discouraged. "Gee, but that ring made a lot of trouble. Mary, come here, deary. Will you forgive me? They say you forgive the dead anything. Listen, I was awfully discouraged and Gay was so mean and I was all wrong, anyway--you know--foolish--see? Beatrice was mean, too.... I want you to marry Steve because he loves you, and a divorce won't break her heart--you just see if it does. I always knew he was the one you liked--and he does care now. Sure, he does. You can tell. Even I can tell, Mary.... I just told her so--and my, she is wild but won't admit it. She never asked me to her house after that if she could get out of it. And now I'm sorry--and I want you to have the ring. That will help some, won't it? You tell Gay what I said. You must have it. Your fingers are thin and long and can carry it off well. And so you do forgive me, don't you? I shouldn't have told her, but I couldn't help it, she was so mean. And now he cares--and you can be happy----" "You told Mrs. O'Valley?"