f course work is demoralized, and he'll have his hands full."

Both Betty and Bob were overjoyed to learn that Uncle Dick was all
right, and when the doctor pronounced both patients on the road to
certain recovery, they were additionally cheered. They said nothing
to the physician of their visitors of the day before, because Bob was
unwilling to announce that he was a nephew of the Saunders. He wished
them to hear it first.

"I think Miss Hope might sit up for a few minutes this afternoon,"
counseled the doctor on leaving. "Miss Charity might try that
to-morrow. Of course, I'll be out again in the morning. You two
youngsters are in my mind continually."

He drove away, and for the rest of the day Bob was left pretty much
to his own devices, Betty, however, stipulating that he was to stay
close to the house. She could not shake off her fear of the two men,
and Bob was far too considerate to worry her deliberately when she
had so much to attend to.

Miss Hope was delighted to sit up for half an hour, and now that her
patients were stronger, Betty was put to it to keep them amused and
contented in bed. The doctor's orders were strict that they were not
to get up for at least two more days.

Betty read aloud to them, seated in the doorway between the two rooms
so that both could hear; she gave them reports of the condition of
things outside; and Miss Hope said primly that she would like to meet
and thank the boy who had been so kind as soon as she could be
"suitably attired." Betty was thankful that she did not ask his name,
but the sisters were not at all curious. They had been so ill and
were still weak, and the fact that their household and farm was
apparently running smoothly was enough for them to grasp. The details
did not claim their attention.

"Charity was sick first," said Miss Hope, over her beef tea and
toast. "What delicious tea this is, my dear! Yes, she was down for
two days, and I took care of her and did the milking. Then I felt a
cold coming on, but I crawled around for another day, doing the best
I could. The night before the day you came I went out to milk and I
must have fainted. When I came to I was within an inch of old
Blossom's hoofs. That scared me, and I came right into the house
without finishing a chore. I think I was delirious all night, and I
remember thinking that if we were both going to die, at least I'd
have things as orderly as possible. So I went around and pulled down
all the fi