And I _am_ needed every hour, if for nothing more than to keep them all cheered up.

When I think of how busy Jack has always been, and then those awful days and weeks and years ahead of him when he can't do anything but lie and think and worry, I'm afraid he'll almost lose his mind." "If mamma only hadn't been so decided," was Joyce's dubious answer.

"It does seem that you are right, and yet--we've never gone ahead and done things before without her consent.

I wish we could talk it over with her." "Well, I don't," persisted Mary.

"I'm going home and I'm perfectly sure that down in her heart she'll be glad that I took matters in my own hands and decided to come--for Jack's sake if nothing else." "Then we'd better telegraph her to-night--" "No," interrupted Mary, "not until I'm leaving Washington.