ned Walter in eager tones, then followed the doctor with
noiseless tread through the hall and up the broad stairway.

Reaching his mother's door, he paused and waited outside while the
doctor went quietly in.

His patient seemed to be asleep, but opened her eyes and smiled up into
his face as he reached the bedside.

"Dear cousin," he said, low and tenderly, "are you feeling quite easy
now?"

"Quite so," she answered in low, sweet tones; "all is going right, I
think. Is it not?"

"Yes, so it would seem. You are the best of patients, and with the
abundance of good nursing you are sure to have, I think we will soon
have you about again. But," glancing around upon her three daughters,
"she must be kept very quiet, neither talking nor being talked to much
more than is absolutely necessary.

"However, I am going to allow Walter a moment's sight of his mother, and
as he is your baby boy, you may, if you choose, speak half a dozen words
to him," he added, addressing himself directly to the patient.

Then stepping to the door, he beckoned to Walter, and led him to the
side of the bed.

"There, laddie, you may tell her how dearly you love her, but nothing
more."

"Mamma, dear, darling mamma! I couldn't begin to tell it!" Walter said,
low and tremulously, just touching his lips to her cheek.

"Mother's darling boy!" was all she said in response, but the eyes
looking into his spoke volumes of mother-love.

"Don't cry, Walter, my man," his cousin said, as he led him out to the
hall again; "you have behaved so well that I think you may be allowed
another interview to-morrow; and I hope you will see your mother up and
about again in perhaps a fortnight from this. You must pray for her
healing to the Great Physician, as we all are doing: and pray in faith,
for you know the Bible tells us he is the hearer and answerer of
prayer."

"Oh, I will! I do!" sobbed the child, "and I'm so glad there are so many
others asking for her too, because the Bible says Jesus promised that
his Father would grant what two or three agreed together to ask for."

"Yes; pray for your mother, believe God's promises, and be happy in the
expectation that she will get well; and with a mind at rest interest
yourself in your studies and sports. That's my prescription for you, my
lad; now go and take it like a good boy," added the doctor, with a
smile, as he turned and re-entered the sick-room.

"A funny prescription, and not so bad to take," laugh