I'm ready enough with promises," she thought, with a bitter little smile.

But even this memory could not keep that happiness which Gifford had seen from shining in her eyes; and when she went up-stairs, Helen noticed it.
Perhaps because of Gifford's gentle reproof, she roused herself to say, as he had done, "You are very happy, Lois ?" "Oh, I am, I am!" she cried impulsively, "Oh, Helen, I have something to tell you." A very little sympathy in her cousin's voice brought her eager confidence to her lips.

"Oh, Helen, a letter has come!" "John ?" she hardly breathed.

For one exquisite moment, which had yet its background that he had not been strong, Helen misunderstood her.
"No, it's only something about me," Lois answered humbly.
"Tell me," Helen said gently.

"If anything makes you happy, you know I'll be glad." Lois twisted her fingers together, with a nervous sort of joy.