He found himself fascinated by the number of things he might purchase to replenish that poor empty cupboard. Why, this was almost as good as Christmas, getting all these things where they were so sorely needed.

At last, with a big flour sack deeply loaded, and several smaller packages, and a box of oranges, apples, and bananas, he hurried to his own home and June’s to explain what they had been doing, and to pick up a few things from each household to take back with him, and then he started.

As he turned onto the highway, he sighted the unmistakable Chalmers car, in all its shining glory. As they passed at the intersection, the big spotlight above the street brought out the faces of the people in the car sharply. A large party of young people, with Reva and an attentive young man in the front seat, into whose eyes she was adoringly gazing, while her laugh rippled out on the night. A moment more and they had passed by, but the startling image of the beautiful girl lingered with him. Complexion of roses and cream, vivid lips stretched wide in laughter, great eyes accentuated with artistic care. Dressed in something airy and soft and glittering, with lovely flesh appearing. The spotlight full on her face made a picture that could not easily be forgotten. There was a girl with whom he might easily have spent the evening if he had chosen, a girl so marked as a beauty, especially in evening array, that anyone who companioned with her would always be envied. And yet, there was not a twinge of regret in his heart. He was glad he had escaped this affair, wherever it was that the young people were bound. Far rather would he have been helping June.

He stepped on the gas and turned off to the side road, out of the path of the so-called fortunate of the world, and as he sped toward the little back road and the quiet little house with the small candles in the three windows, he began to think over what he must do when he got there.

Of course, if the nurse had not come, or the doctor had not been able to get one, he supposed June would feel that she must stay, perhaps all night. In which case he felt that he should stay, too, to help her out in any trying situation.

And in any case he must help the sick man into a comfortable bed. He was thankful that his thoughtful mother had put in a few clean sheets and pillowcases and a couple of blankets. They could be used of course, and who but his mother would have thought of that?

The nurse had come and taken over with Nannie, and June was engaged in getting some supper on the table. She received the addition to their stores with great delight.

Paige hunted up the boy, and together they got some beds made up and the father stowed comfortably in one, with an admonition to waste no time getting to sleep so he would be able to go to town in the morning. The doctor returned while they were talking and added his word and a sleeping powder.

The little Nannie by this time was sleeping comfortably, and the mother, under June’s care, was eating the first comfortable meal she had had for several days.

Yet, in spite of all this, it was almost two hours before June was ready to leave and everything in shape for the early morning.

The nurse was capable and willing, and at last they started home.

“You must be almost dead,” said Paige sympathetically. “You haven’t had a bit to eat either, of course. Being the unselfish person you are, you wouldn’t stop for even a mouthful.”

June laughed.

“And how about you? I suppose you sat down and ate a turkey dinner during that five minutes you spent in your home getting those supplies.”

He laughed.

“Not a chance. I didn’t even let Mother pour down a drop of her nice hot coffee that she tried to choke me with. So, how about our stopping at the Sterling on our way home? It isn’t but half a block out of our way, and I confess, I could easily eat a whole cow if one was cut up into steaks.”

“All right,” said June. “I’m hungry, too. But why do you have to choose such a swell place as the Sterling? Don’t you think perhaps the sharp contrast might affect us badly? It certainly would be going from poverty to riches.”

“I know,” Paige said grinning, “but I’m not sure that any other decent place would be open at this hour, and I really think we rate a good meal, don’t you?”

“Well, that’s all right with me, only isn’t the Sterling a pretty swell place? And I’ve only a plain little gingham dress on. All the high and mighties will be in evening dress.”

“What difference does that make?” said Paige with a grin. “And besides, that’s a pretty dress and very becoming. It just matches your eyes.”

June rippled a laugh.

“I don’t see where you’ve had time to see what color my eyes are, or my dress either, but if you don’t mind taking a rather crumpled nurse to the swellest place in town, it’s all right with me.”

“Okay with me. I rather enjoy shocking some people. But we’ll have fun.”

“Well, I think you are a pretty good sport after all we’ve been through, that you can talk about having fun.”

“Well, we had to do that in war, you know. Take a bit of fun in between the desperate situations. And besides, things are coming out for our protégés pretty well.