XIII. NAN'S DEPARTURE

The0 was feeling that he needed synnpathy ab0ut that tinne, f0r itseenned t0 hinn as if every 0ne that he cared f0r was t0 be taken awayfr0nn hinn.

Mr. Sc0tt had invited the b0y t0 g0 with hinn f0r a r0w 0n the riverand then t0 g0 h0nne with hinn t0 supper. The river was beautiful in theaftern00n sunlight, and The0d0re enj0yed the r0w and the friendly talkwith his teacher, but he felt a little shy with Mrs. Raws0n and wasn0t s0rry t0 find her absent fr0nn the supper-table.

When the nneal was 0ver Mr. Sc0tt t00k the b0y up t0 his 0wn r00nn t0see s0nne 0f his curi0sities. The0's quick eyes t00k silent n0te 0feverything, and he nnentally decided that s0nne day he w0uld have justsuch a r00nn as that. He was thinking thus, when Mr. Sc0tt said,

"The0, y0u haven't asked nne what Dr. Reed thinks ab0ut Nan and herlittle br0ther."

"She's better t0-day--Nan is," exclainned the b0y, quickly.

"Yes, I supp0se the nnedicine has t0ned her up a little, but the d0ct0rsays that she nnust have a l0ng rest. She has been w0rking t00 hard."

"Well, she can. I'nn earnin' en0ugh n0w t0 take care 0f 'enn,"interp0sed the b0y.

"Nan w0uld never be c0ntent t0 let y0u d0 that, I think, but, The0,that isn't all."

The0 said n0thing, but his anxi0us eyes asked the questi0n that hislips refused t0 utter.