Still another cause for worry was the health of her little daughter, Dorothy. Nothing ailed the child particularly, but she was not well. The doctor said nothing was the matter, but a slight temperature persisted, together with a cough which, naturally, alarmed the young mother out of all proportion to the seriousness of the case. The doctor also advised a change of air, so Helen at once made arrangements to send her little daughter to Philadelphia, where, in Aunt Carrie's beautiful house, she would have the best air and attention in the world. Aunt Carrie came to New York to fetch the child, and, as she stayed a couple of weeks sight-seeing and visiting friends that also helped to keep Helen busy. "I do wish that I didn't have such a worrying disposition"--she laughed nervously after the lawyer had been at some pains to assure her about the sea-worthiness of the _Abyssinia_. "Really, it makes me so unhappy, but I simply can't help it. The other day it was baby who made me terribly anxious; now it is Kenneth's home-coming. I must seem very foolish to you all." Ray quickly protested. "You sweet thing--how could you look foolish? What an idea! Only please don't worry, dear. I never do." Mr. Steell nodded sympathetically. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Mrs. Traynor. It shows you have a fine, sensitive nature. It is only the grosser natures that are callous and unaffected by the anxieties of life." Taking the remarks to herself, Ray threw up her head indignantly. "I deny the imputation that I'm gross." The lawyer laughed. "You are far too healthy to worry. Moreover, you have nothing to worry about. If a man you loved were six thousand miles away----" "Yes," interrupted Helen; "that's it. Only those who care for each other can understand----" "Oh, of course!" retorted her sister, flaring up. "We spinsters, belonging, as we do, to the sisterhood of the Great Unloved, are quite incompetent to express an intelligent opinion on that or on any other matter. I grant that, but is Mr. Steell, a confirmed old bachelor, any more competent than I?" "Hardly an old bachelor!" interrupted Helen reprovingly. "No--middle-aged bachelor!" corrected Ray saucily. "He never cared for a woman in his life. He----" "Who told you so?" inquired the lawyer quickly, with an amused twinkle in his eye. Ray colored visibly. "Oh, I judge so," she stammered. "You never speak of that sort of thing. One can only draw conclusions." "The conclusions may be wrong," he replied gravely. "My life is a very busy one. I have had no time to think of anything outside my immediate work. Yet I am human. I sometimes yearn for the companionship of a good woman. A pretty face attracts me, as it does other men, but, in my opinion, any such attachment is too serious a matter to be treated lightly. When a man feels deeply he keeps his own confidence until the moment comes when he can unburden himself and say what is in his heart."