"I believe I shall begin to be jealous of Mr. Croyden, Theo," laughed Dr. Swift good-naturedly. "I am coming to fear that if you go to visit him as he wants you to, you never will come back home." Theo smiled. "You can't lose me so easily, Dad," he answered. "Just the same, I know if I do go and visit the Croydens I'll have a bully time. But I'd like to wait until I get rid of these crutches so I won't be a bother to anybody." "That is wise. I should not feel easy if you started out on a visit before you were quite well," replied Dr. Swift. "However, it won't be long now before you can cast your crutches into the rubbish heap. In the meantime your own family can have a visit with you. I rather fancy your mother will be thankful to have you home again; she has been pretty anxious about you. No mother likes having her boy where she cannot get to him when he is ill." "But you were there, Dad." Dr. Swift smiled into the eyes that met his. "Yes, I was there, to be sure," he assented. "But a doctor is not necessarily a good nurse." "I don't see how anybody could be a better nurse than you, Father." The Doctor shook his head. "I'm afraid I did not fuss much over you," he answered. "At least I did not smother you with attention the way your mother would have done. You got no spoiling from me. I expect, though, that when your mother gets hold of you she won't be able to do enough for you. I can see her to-day flying round the house ordering all the things you like to eat, and getting everything ready for your coming. I shall have no attention at all." Theo beamed. "You will have all the attention you want, and more too, Dad, I guess," he remarked drily. "Probably a string of patients as long as this car will be waiting to pounce on you the minute you set foot in New York." "I expect so, son. However, I shall not begrudge that sort of a welcome now, for I feel like a fighting cock." "You really are rested, aren't you, Father?" "I am like another man," was the vehement reply. "I was about all in when we went into camp. Thanks to you and Mr. Croyden I have had a fine chance to pull myself together and prepare for whatever comes next. You have been very thoughtful and unselfish, Theo, in leaving me free to get all I could out of my vacation. It has meant everything." "I wanted to help you, Dad." "You've certainly proved that, my boy. I've appreciated every bit of it." A quick glance passed between the two. They understood each other very well, Theo and his father. "Here is Mr. Croyden," observed Theo. "He has been getting off some mail and telegrams." "That is precisely what I must do," declared the Doctor rising. "I'll leave you to have one of your china-making talks while I am gone." As the Doctor passed through into the next car Mr. Croyden sauntered down the aisle and dropped into the seat he had just vacated.