She had written it in the porter's box.
"I am going--home. Something has happened. But I will write and tell
you; now I can only say"--her voice broke and trembled--"good-bye,
again, and thank you with all my heart." She drew the sister to her
and kissed her; and Mr. Wordley shook the sister's hand, and blew his
nose so loudly that the patients, who had been watching them eagerly,
nodded to each other and exchanged significant glances, and there was a
suppressed excitement in the ward which found adequate expression when,
half an hour afterwards, the sister with flashed cheek and quavering
voice made them acquainted with Ida's gift.
"And now," said Mr. Wordley, after he had shaken hands with several of
the officials, including the porter, "and now, my dear Miss Ida, for
Herondale and--Home! Hi, cab!"