THE SICK-A-BED LADY
she took it daintily in her fingers and examined it carefully. Then, as though it recalled some vague memory, she crinkled up her forehead and started to get out of bed. The Young Doctor watched her with agonized interest. She went direct to her bu reau and began to search diligently through all the drawers, but when she reached the lower drawer and found some bright-colored ribbons she forgot her original quest, whatever it was, and brought all the ribbons back to bed with her.
The Young Doctor started to leave her again, this time with a little gesture which she took to be anger, but he had not gone further than the head of the stairs before she called him back in a voice that was startlingly mature and reasonable.
"Oh, Boy, come back," she cried. "I'll be good. What do you want?"
The Young Doctor came doubtfully.
"Do you understand me to-day?" he asked in a voice that sent an ominous chill to her heart. "Can you think pretty clearly to-day?"
She nodded her head. "Yes," she answered; "it's a good day."
"Do you know what marriage is?" he asked abruptly.
"Oh, yes," she said, but her face clouded perceptibly.
Then he took her in his arms and told her plainly,
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