The Parting Pledge and Passing Days

"Doctor Mac," began Smiles timidly, at length. "I'm sorry for what I
said to you this afternoon, and I want to take it back. I guess when
you're angry you don't see things as they are, and I'm sure that you
were only being very, very kind to me when you ... you bought those
baskets. I love you for it, really I do, and if ... if you want me to
keep the money, and it would hurt your feelings if I...."

"Of course I want you to keep it, dear. Yesterday you took me for a
foster-brother, and I hope that you will always let me do for you as I
would for a real flesh-and-blood sister."

"I promise, and I will always do the same for you if I can, dear Don,"
she whispered softly, adding, "but somehow to-night--oh please don't
laugh at me now--somehow to-night I feel more like ... like a mother,
than a sister to you."

"And I truly think you are--a spiritual mother, little woman. I need you
much more than you need me, I guess."

"Do you know," he went on, after a moment, "I am beginning to believe
that I was wrong this afternoon when I said that ... that Judd lied
about adding to the money he received for your baskets. Of course I
have no way of making sure, unless you have kept accounts, but I
actually begin to think that he did."