s so depressed that everything I said was forced and unnatural. My head felt as if it were bursting, and I was enraged with myself and the

s trying to satisfy herself that I had recovered my senses, and that my unexpected words, spoken in the morning, were the result of a mood that was as transient as it was abnormal. I think I puzzled h

on banishing every unnatural

end, Old Plod? Did the

as ever this morning. T

laugh. "Old Plod inspires me with a sense of confidence and stabi

afe as a horse-block, a

me Da

ghtly. She evidently had some association in her min

ly answers as a stea

ong," I replied, "even in a wor

dy sunshine to these

hine' would make the world as d

but even if we had all burned up last night, this part of the world would have been wonderfu

," I said carelessly. "The greatest good to the

I don't like it," Miss Warren prot

ton. God cares for each one of His children, a

ad of thee, mother. If

we must go off

s love for us in a que

abru

other looked pained a

said

me day, I hope. The lightning bolt may h

d she didn't need any," said the matter-of-fact Adah, "At any rate

a trifle bitterly; "for according to Mrs. Yocom

ther Adah nor I was in

could c

t a thrilling narrative you could write for your paper," Miss Warren began. Seemingly

rigible, however,

make an item among the

the doctor arrived so promptly. The casualty had already occurred, and I'm quite

s Warren; blunders are

enius fo

e. One would think, Mr. Morton, accepting your view of yourself, that you could supply your

rs would make

your paper is very

er had the bad taste to publis

gic in that remark. Ha

rt

I doubt whether you have ever seen New Yor

be afraid of lightnin

to flash back and fo

mless, and Mr. Morton's partake of the auro

e not so myster

ause is,

rom the table; and she came and took my hand. "Richard Morton,

t was full of kind, regretful interest; but with the perversity

that an owl would have been equally useful there. I fear I'm going to be ill, Mrs.

en?" she asked, with a smile that

slang of the shop; I meant one of the boys employed in the printing-rooms. Mrs. Yocomb, I have now satisfied you that I'm too much of a bear to deserve any gentler nurse. I truly think I had better

w I should feel hurt beyond measure. Thee's

often put my foot down, but when I do, it's like old South Mountain there. Ah, here comes the doctor. Doctor Bates, if thee doesn

," said Adah, in a low tone. She had stolen close to my

worse," Doctor

dently believed in tonic treatment and counter-irritants. "He woul

all thee wishes if th

oyish face shadowed

k, for her little figure came tottering out of the parlor

thee doesn't stay I'

d carried her back to the sof

lah; I'll do an

her hands gleefull

. He's promised me

be in bed this moment. Your pulse indicates a very high fever. What's more, you seem badl

e very long. Because these friends are so good and kind is no reason why I

said Mrs. Yocomb earnestly. "Adah, thee see that his room is ready. I'

than I can. I'll try and help a little, however, and will prescribe for you after I've seen Zillah;" a

tanding in the doorway, and a little aloof, came to me, and he

ow how sorry I am. I do owe you so much! Pleas

o did not ask me to stay

o, that I'd be ill in

right. "Remember I'm ill, delirious it may be; but whatever happens, also remember that I said I wouldn't change anything. Wer

as if I were giving her ab

e. Oh, if you but

I shook my head, with a

n a whisper, and we

om. I saw Adah's intent, wistful look as I tried to thank her. Mrs. Yocomb's kind,