commented simply.

When the tea bell rang she asked to be carried to her room and laid on
Rachel's little bed. He kissed her gently and turned away.

The next was his day in Boston. But late in the afternoon, after Miss
Eunice had been visiting her an hour or so, she went to the study and
sat by the window, where she could see him come. He glanced up and she
waved her hand daintily. All day he had been wondering how he should
find her.

"I haven't coughed but a very little to-day," she exclaimed. "Cousin
Elizabeth made some new syrup. And the doctor was in. He said I was a
little lazy, that I must be more energetic."

"I've been ordering a new carriage to-day. The old one was hardly worth
repairing. And when you are stronger I think I'll buy a gentle pony and
we can go out riding. You would not be afraid after a little?"

"Not with you."

Her confidence was very sweet.

"I'm going down to tea to-night. I was down at noon."

"Oh, you are improving. I hope there will come some warm weather and
balmy airs."

"It was beautiful last spring. You know I never saw a real spring
before."

She was bearing her loss and her sorrow beautifully. All day she had
been thinking of the joy of those two when they met on the confines of
that beautiful world. It made heaven seem so near, so real. Sometimes
the tears came to her eyes. She was Cousin Chilian's little girl, so why
should she feel lonely!

Once in a number of years spring comes early. It did this time, at the
close of the century. People shook their heads and talked about
"weather-breeders," and mentioned snow as late as May, when fruit trees
had been in bloom. But nature had turned over a bright, clear leaf, that
made the book of time fairly shine.

The carriage came and Cynthia was taken out. Miss Elizabeth wrapped her
up like a mummy, and would put a brick, swathed in coverings, in the
bottom for her feet. He had taken the ladies out occasionally, but of
late years the sisters had been so busy they had little time for
pleasure, they thought.

They crossed North Bridge and went up Danvers way. Oh, how lovely it was
with the trees in baby leaf, and some wild things blossoming. And even
then industry had planted itself. There on the farther bank of Waters
River was the iron mill, where Dr. Nathan Read invented his scheme for
cut nails. And he built a paddle-wheel steamboat that was a success
before Robert Fulton tried his. And they passed the Page house, where