I could attend to the correspondence, too, for my head and hands are all right.

I know I am as helpless as a baby yet, but if you'll just stand by me, and keep up that treatment, and help me get my strength back, I'll make good, some way or another, just as well as Aldebaran did.

By the bloodstone on my watch-fob!" he added, laughingly.

"How is that for a fine swear ?" The old hopeful note in his voice made his helplessness more pathetic than ever to Mary, but she answered gaily, "You know I'll stand by you till 'the last cock crows and the last trump blows!' _You_ didn't have to be born in Mars month to make undaunted courage the jewel of your soul." Perched on the arm of his chair she sat watching the red star for a moment, thinking of the events which had led to his resolution.

"It's queer, isn't it," she said aloud.