"Yes, you are," said Aunt Jane comfortably. "Of course it don't make any
real difference. You'll get well sometime.... Only it seems foolish.
Well, I must be going on my rounds. Keep up good courage." She stood up
and moved toward the door.
"Aunt Jane."
"Yes."
"You haven't time to stop a few minutes?"
"Why, yes. I've got plenty of time, if you want me. There's two
operations this morning, but everything's ready."
"Two operations?" The woman's lips grew white.
"One's a man with five children. Got to lose his leg.... His wife's
plucky. She's gone right to work earning money. But she's coming this
morning to be with him for the operation. She says he'll stand it
better. I guess she's right. They seem pretty close together.... That's
the only thing I really envy in this world," said Aunt Jane slowly, ...
"having a husband that loves you and cares." She sat quietly watching
the locust leaves outside the window. They shimmered in the light.
The woman raised a hand. "You don't understand," she said.
"Like enough not," said Aunt Jane. "It's hard work understanding other
folks' feelings. I don't more'n half understand mine.... I suppose you
were kind of disappointed in him...?
"I don't know--" The words faltered.
"They be, mostly."
"Is every one unhappily married?" the voice flashed at her.
"Well, I didn't say just that. But most of 'em find it different from
what they expected--men being men.... Women are women, too. I'll have to
go now. It's time for the man, and she'll be waiting in the parlor. I
told her to wait there." She rose slowly. "You don't want to see him, if
he should happen to come to-day?"
"No." The lips trembled a little and closed over the word.
"All right," said Aunt Jane soothingly. "Take plenty of time to get
well. He can wait. He's a good kind to wait, I can see that." She had
drifted out.
The woman's eyes followed her eagerly with a question in them. She put
up her hands to cover them. "Yes," she said softly, "he can wait."
As Aunt Jane opened the waiting-room door the man sprang to his feet. He
was radiant with a look of courage, and his eyes glowed as he came
toward her.
She shook her head, smiling a little. Then she turned to a young woman
waiting by the door. She was strong and fresh and a look of purpose
gleamed in her face. Aunt Jane looked at her approvingly. "Go down to
Room 20, Mrs. Patton, on the left-hand side. I've told Dr. Carmon you're
to be there. It's all right."
As the young woman left the room she turned to him again.
"Won't she see me?" he asked.
"Have patience three or four days more," she said slowly. "She'll be
wanting to see you before long now."
"How do you know?" He reached out a hand.
"I don't know, but I seem to feel it in my bones. She's most well....
She's well all through."
And she left him standing there, a glad light in his eyes, while she
went down the corridor to the man waiting in Room 20.