I never found Pierce in this mood again. And I believe I was the only one to whom he said so much, for he had the tender compassion for Aline that would not leave her the memory of great sorrow. Only once afterwards did he touch upon those years. "Desmond would have saved me, Hilda," he said suddenly one day,--"and I would not be saved. When I am gone I want you to write to Desmond, and tell him that I knew at last he was right, and that I died loving and thanking him. You will do that for me, Hilda?" I said I would do it, and he was satisfied. It was curious that he should have chosen me for his confidant about such things. I know he did not talk to Aline, close as the bond was between them, as if he did not expect to live. Good old Oona surpassed herself in those days after Pierce came home. I had rather feared her superstitions, the superstitions the peasants love; but if she felt them she did not impart them to me. She was indefatigable in compounding dainty dishes to tempt Pierce's weak appetite, and she brought out of her stores of knowledge wonderful recipes for healing and strengthening. But as the days turned round to summer, Pierce did not grow stronger. CHAPTER XI. A FAIRY GODMOTHER Old Dr. Devine had seen Pierce soon after his return, very much against our invalid's wishes. He had not enlightened us much, nor given us much comfort. "Go on as you are doing," he had said to Aline in his fat, comfortable way. "Plenty of port wine and fresh eggs, and keep him from taking cold." But so much we had known before, and at Pierce's earnest request we had troubled Dr. Devine no further. "Hilda," said Esther to me one day, "do you remember that when your foot was so bad Aline sold her collet to get you the best doctor that could be procured for money?" "Could I forget it?" said I. "Well, don't you think that something ought to be done for Pierce in the same way?" "Yes," said I, "but how are we to raise the money? I do think Freda ought to help us." "I believe Aline thought the same thing when she wrote to her all about Pierce's illness, but Freda evidently thinks differently. Do you remember how generous Freda once was?" "Yes," said I wisely, "but then she was a girl. I believe she has grown selfish for that child. There, I have said it, and it is the first time any of us have. What is the use of our going about wondering at Freda in our secret hearts and shutting our lips upon it?" "It is strange about her. However, Hilda, if she will not help, we must. We must sell our sapphires." "Would they bring much? They are heavy and old-fashioned." "I daresay they are rather ugly, but they will sell for the stones. We won't ask Aline. She would sell her own things, but she would feel our parting with ours. Once it is irrevocable, she will be glad."