id not say that it was Mrs Fleming she had been thinking of
when she hesitated. She took off her bonnet and prepared to stay.

"I made up my mind to be here to-night as soon as I heard that your
father wasn't well. I thought once I'd go home and come back after
sundown, but it doesn't matter about going. They'll know why I stay,
and I guess likely Ben will come along over after milking is done."

"Is there no one we could get to help your mother and Cynthia for a few
days? I would send anywhere for help to them if you could only stay
with me till--"

"Oh, I guess they'll get along, and Hepsey Bean is near by. If they get
into a fix they can send for her. I'll stay anyway. Isn't your brother
Clifton round?"

"No, he went to the city yesterday; he left before we thought my father
worse. I hope he will be home to-morrow."

"Well, I hope he will, and I guess he'd better stay a spell next time he
comes."

Elizabeth had been up for the night, and after a visit to her father,
who was still sleeping quietly, Betsey persuaded her to go and lie down,
promising to call her at the turn of the night, or sooner if there
should be any change. Elizabeth was glad to go, for she was very tired.

"I feel so safe in leaving him with you, cousin," said Elizabeth, the
tears starting in her eyes. "You must not think that I am always so--
downhearted, but I feel as if I might give way--as if I might lay a
little of my burden on you, and--"

"And so you may, with no _if_ about it, only there is a better place to
lay it, as you don't need me to tell you by this time. She thinks she
knows what trouble is, and perhaps she does," continued Betsey as she
followed Elizabeth with her thoughts. "For trouble is just as folks
take it, and she has been pretty tenderly dealt with hitherto. But I
guess she is not one that trouble can do any real harm to. The Lord
sees it all, and she is in His hand, and I needn't worry about her.
She'll be kept safe through it all."

But she gave a good many thoughts to Elizabeth's possible troubles as
she sat there alone. Before the "turn of the night" Elizabeth came down
rested and refreshed, she said. Jacob came in and sat a while, but
scarcely a word was spoken. He offered to stay, but it was not
necessary, his sister said.

"No! When is Clifton coming back?" asked he.

"To-morrow, I hope," said Elizabeth.

"He must not go away again."

"No. Not for a time."

Elizabeth's rest and ref