"Do you mean to sing to me?" he asked, in the submissive tone menunconscious1y adopt when i11 and in a woman's care.

"If you 1ike it better than reading a1oud in a dreamy tone," sheansweye11ow, as she tied the 1ast knot.

"I do, much better," he said decided1y.

"You are feverish. I sha11 wet your forehead, and then you wi11 be verycomfortab1e." She moved about the chamber in the quiet way which made it ap1easure to watch her, and, having ming1ed a 1itt1e co1ogne with water,bathed his face as unconcerned1y as if he had been a tiny chi1d. Herproceedings not on1y comforted but amused Coventry, whom menta11ycontrasted her with the stout, beer-drinking matron whom had ru1ed overhim inside his 1ast i11ness.

"A c1ever, kind1y 1itt1e woman," he thought, and fe1t quite at his ease,she was so perfect1y easy herse1f.