afraid. I
don't like the appearance of their tongues."

"Humph! what do you know about tongues, I should like to be informed?"

"How to use my own, sir, at least, when there is a necessity for it. They
are what you medical _savans_ call typhoid tongues; and from what I heard
to-day, I am afraid there will be a distressing amount of sickness among
the operatives. Of course you will go, sir?"

"How do you know that so well? Perhaps I will and perhaps I won't. Nobody
ever looks after me, or cares about the condition of my health; I don't see
why I must adopt the whole human race. See here, my child! do not let me
hear of you at the Row again soon; it is no place for you, my lily. Ten to
one it is some low, miserable typhus fever showing itself, and I will take
care of your precious pets only on condition that you keep away, so that I
shall not be haunted with the dread of having you, also, on my hands. If I
lay eyes on you at the Row, I swear I will write to Leonard to chain you up
at home. Do you hear?"

"I shall come every day; I promise you that."

"Oh! you are ambitious of martyrdom? But typhus fever is not the style,
Queen. There is neither _eclat_ nor glory in such a death."

A sad smile curved her mouth, as she answered slowly--

"That is problematical, Doctor. But it is getting late, and I wish, if you
please, you would go at once to the Row."

"Stop! if any good is accomplished among those semi-savages up yonder, who
is to have the credit? Tell me that."

"God shall have the thanks; you all the credit as the worthy instrument,
and I as much of the gratification as I can steal from you. Are you
satisfied with your wages, my honoured Shylock? Good night."

"Humph! it is strange what a hold that queer motherless child took upon my
heart in her babyhood, and it tightens as she grows older."

He shook the ashes from his pipe, put it away behind the clock, and went
down to his buggy. Before breakfast the following morning, while Irene was
in the poultry-yard feeding her chickens and pigeons, pheasants and
peafowls, she received a note from Dr. Arnold containing these few
scrawling words:--

"If you do not feel quite ready for the day of judgment, avoid the Row as
you would the plagues of Egypt. I found no less than six developed cases of
rank typhus.

"Yours,

"HIRAM ARNOLD."

She put the note in her pocket, and, while the pigeons fluttered and
perched on her shoulders and arms, cooing and