We have had many of them in our family--and fatal ones too." She was eager now, and earnest.
He shook his head, with a smile on his lips.

"I thank you.

They are better--much better, and they have been quite properly bandaged already." "Neenah ?" "Yes," he replied gently.

She seemed to search his mind with a quick, intense look into his eyes.

Then she smiled and said: "I'll promise not to bruise the wounds if you'll only be so good as to shake hands with me." He took her slender hand in his broad, white-swathed palm and pressed it fervently, regardless of the pain which would have caused him to cringe if engaged in any other pursuit.
The forenoon was fully occupied with the preparations for defence.