“I’m all right,” said Valancy lightly. She would not have Cissy worried. “And I’m not working hard. I’m glad to have some work to do — something that really wants to be done.”

“Then” — Cissy slipped her hand wistfully into Valancy’s — ”don’t let’s talk any more about my being sick. Let’s just forget it. Let’s pretend I’m a little girl again — and you have come here to play with me. I used to wish that long ago — wish that you could come. I knew you couldn’t, of course. But how I did wish it! You always seemed so different from the other girls — so kind and sweet — and as if you had something in yourself nobody knew about — some dear, pretty secret. Had you, Valancy?”