At last Dell sat up in bed with determination. "We're fine missionaries, Betty, to act like this!" she said sternly. "Don't worry about that," said Betty, smiling through her tears. "They say that the best surgeons are those who faint at the first operation!" "That's so!" agreed Dell, "I wouldn't go back, would you?" "Of course not!" replied Betty, "We're out on the Lord's work! But we're only girls, after all, and we'll feel lots better to cry it out. I guess everyone does, but don't tell anyone, will you?" "Of course not!" promised Dell. "Come, let's get to sleep before--" "All right,"--and the two girlish heads were soon lying quietly close together with their tear-stained faces up-turned to the bright light of the mysterious "welsbach." ***** In the morning Betty roused her companion. "I'm so hungry, Dell. Let us hurry to the Mission Home for breakfast." On their way out they asked the landlady to turn off the gas. "Land!" exclaimed the old lady indignantly. "You didn't burn my gas all night? And gas is expensive, too, I'll tell you!" Betty stood dumb, while Dell apologized. "I thought the West knew gas when they saw it!" snapped the old lady as she shut the door in their faces. Dell and Betty walked out of the house in silence. When in the street, Betty laughed. "Quite motherly, wasn't she? Dell, I do hope you'll be my companion. We'll start a diary together." The bright morning air made them both laugh with the zest of youth. As they entered the mission home, Mrs. Gladder kissed them both. "Sleep well, girls?" "O yes, thank you," answered the girls, looking at one another with a smile that one of the Elders passing them, was sure to detect. As Mrs. Gladder led the way to breakfast; he said to the girls in a stage whisper, "Never mind, girls! they all do it!" "Do what?" asked Betty demurely. "O _you_ know,--but don't feel embarrassed. Every night you'll feel better." Sister Gladder turned. "Brother Eldridge," she said laughing, "if you don't stop teasing, I'll have to report you to President Gladder!" At this, the young man laughed heartily, and the girls joined in. The second night they decided that they had been foolish, and laughed themselves to sleep, with the gas turned off and the moonlight streaming in at their little high windows. ***** CHAPTER IX. Betty's New Friends. Betty's hand trembled as she took off the receiver of the phone at the Mission Home. She gave the number of Dr. Cadman's office. After all these years she was going to speak with this friend, her ideal of manhood. "Is this Dr. Cadman?" she asked of the pleasant "Hello." "It is," came the answer. "This is Betty Emmit," replied Betty in dignified tones. "I just arrived in Brooklyn yesterday." "Why, Betty," came in jovial tones. "I'm real glad to hear your voice. Where are you anyway?" "At Mission Headquarters. Could you come over to see me?" "Not until about eight this evening. Will that do?"