And I'd suffer anything rather than bring shame and pain on others." Madelene smiled--somehow not irritatingly--an appeal to Del's sense of proportion.

"Suffer," repeated she.

"That's a good strong word for a woman to use who has health and youth and beauty, and material comfort--and a mind capable of an infinite variety of interests." Adelaide's tragic look was slipping from her.

"Don't take too gloomy a view," continued the physician.

"Disease and death and one other thing are the only really serious ills.