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Page 74
"Now, if you are ready, Dr. Leaver."
His face immediately grew grave, lost its expression of interested
attention, and set in lines of resignation. She went through a number of
motions and announced that the sitting was over.
"It wasn't so bad, was it?" she questioned, gayly, as she removed the
plate she had used. "I'm not even going to try again. I've discovered
that it's not always best to repeat an attempt, and when you are pretty
sure you have what you want, it doesn't pay."
"Thank you for making the operation so nearly painless. I haven't had
a photograph taken since I was a medical student, and I wasn't prepared
for so short a trial. But, even so, I felt the desperateness of the
situation. Doubtless that will show plainly in the final result."
"Mine is a discreet camera, and doesn't tell all it sees, so it is
possible it may keep your reluctance disguised."
She took away the plate, left him for a few minutes alone among the
photographs, and returned.
"It is quite all right, I think, Dr. Leaver," she said, "and the agony is
over. You are leaving town to-day?"
He rose. "I go to-night. I should have come to say good-bye, in any case,
but, as I go out to Sunny Farm for one more look at the boy, I must be
off. So--I'll make this the good-bye."
"I hope you'll have the busiest, happiest sort of winter," she said, in
the charming, friendly way which was naturally her own. "So busy and so
happy you'll forget this long, trying time of waiting to be well. Surely,
the rest--and Dr. Burns--have done the work. When you see the portrait
I hope it will show you, better than looking at yourself in any mirror,
what good has been done."
"Thank you. I know a great change has been wrought, somehow, thanks to a
man who insisted on having his own way when I didn't want to let him. You
expect to stay in this cottage all winter?"
"All winter, and all spring. Imagine us by a splendid fire in this good
fireplace."
"I hope it won't smoke on windy days." Leaver looked doubtfully at it.
"It strikes me as better photographic material than as practical defence
against the cold."
"I shall demonstrate that it is entirely practical. And Granny's little
feet will seldom touch the floor. I have a beautiful foot-warmer for her,
which will keep her snug as comfort."
"I know you have a strong courage, and will face any discomfort bravely."
His eyes were dwelling upon her face, noting each outline, as if he meant
to take the memory of it with him.
"All the courage in the world. What would life be without it? With it,
one can do anything."
"I believe you." He was silent for a moment, still looking at her
intently. "I wonder," he said then, "if you would be willing to give me
something I very much want. I have no right to ask it, and yet, for the
sake of many pleasant hours we have spent together--that's a tame phrase
for me to use of them, from my standpoint--for their sake would you be
willing to let me have--a picture of yourself? I promise you it shall be
seen by no one but myself. It would mean a good deal to me. Yet, if you
are not entirely willing, I won't ask it."
He spoke in the quietest, grave way. After a moment's hesitation she
answered him as quietly.
"I don't know why I should mind, Dr. Leaver, and yet, somehow, I find
I do. Will you believe it's not because I don't want to please you?"
His face showed, in spite of him, that the denial hurt him. He held out
his hand.
"You are quite right to be frank. Shall we say good-bye? All kinds of
success to you this winter--and always."
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