Amazed at the effect of Hennie's letter, Virginia was tempted to run away. She hesitated, however. Through the doorway she could see the shaking form of Joe's mother upon the bed. Quickly the passion died out of the sobs of the weeping woman and in its place came a note of pathetic helplessness which clutched at the girl's heart and seemed to call her. In a moment Virginia was at the side of the bed. Leaning over, she took one of the toil worn hands into her own. There came an answering pressure and the girl seated herself by the bed-side holding the knotted fingers in her own. The sobs lessened, the quivering form became calmer, and at length Mrs. Curtis sat up and raised wet eyes to those of her visitor. "You must think me lacking in appreciation of the generosity of your friends," she choked, still shaken by the reflex of her sobs. "It's not true, though. That was a display of my silly pride. It's about all that I have left of the happiest days of my life. Forget my words, dear, and forgive me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for what you have done for my boy and me. To have him walk without a crutch, on my hands and knees I'd scrub the most crowded street in the world. There is no humiliation too great for me to undergo for him. I would glory in it." In the glow of mother love her face softened and became beautiful. Now she seemed to grasp the full significance of the news and to be filled with unrest as if afraid that the opportunity might escape. "When can we go?" she worried--"tomorrow?" "Today, if you wish," Virginia explained. Her woes cast aside and filled with excitement, Mrs. Curtis dried her tears and returned to the other room with the girl. Through the window Charles Augustus could be seen hobbling about in a game with the active Helen. His mother watched his awkward movements intently for a moment. "In a few months he will be running about without the crutch," she whispered and, swinging about, she seized Virginia by her shoulders, looked deep into her eyes as she murmured gently, "May God bless you and yours for what you are doing for me and mine, and may happiness be yours and theirs until the end of time." Charles Augustus displayed greater interest in the journey he was about to take than in the fact that he might no longer need his crutch. As he passed through the meadow with the girls he explained his position. "It's great fun to travel on the cars. I don't care a bit where I go, so it's some place else." Possible objections arising from the change struck him. "When I come back, will you come and see me, even if I don't have a crutch?" he asked Helen. The enchantress caught him in her arms and answered him with a kiss. Regardless of this attention, dissatisfaction crept into his face. "If I don't have my crutch, I will catch you all of the time. There'll be no fun in playing with a girl who always has to be 'it.'"