I am sure and that brave child will be
allowed to pay her debt to him. I feel she will."

"But I want to help. I must go, Aunty, I must no matter what the danger
is," cried Rose, full of a tender jealousy of Phebe for being first to
brave peril for the sake of him who had been a father to them both.

"You can't go, dear, it's no use now, and she is right to say, 'Keep
away.' I know those fevers, and the ones who nurse often take it, and
fare worse for the strain they've been through. Good girl to stand by so
bravely, to be so sensible, and not let Mac go too near! She's a grand
nurse Alec couldn't have a better, and she'll never leave him till he's
safe," said Miss Plenty excitedly.

"Ah, you begin to know her now, and value her as you ought. I think few
would have done as she has, and if she does get ill and die, it will be
our fault partly, because she'd go through fire and water to make us
do her justice and receive her as we ought," cried Rose, proud of an
example which she longed to follow.

"If she brings my boy home, I'll never say another word. She may marry
every nephew I've got, if she likes, and I'll give her my blessing,"
exclaimed Aunt Plenty, feeling that no price would be too much to pay
for such a deed.

Rose was going to clap her hands, but wrung them instead, remembering
with a sudden pang that the battle was not over yet, and it was much too
soon to award the honors.

Before she could speak Uncle Mac and Aunt Jane hurried in, for Mac's
letter had come with the other, and dismay fell upon the family at the
thought of danger to the well-beloved Uncle Alec. His brother decided
to go at once, and Aunt Jane insisted on accompanying him, though all
agreed that nothing could be done but wait, and leave Phebe at her post
as long as she held out, since it was too late to save her from danger
now and Mac reported her quite equal to the task.

Great was the hurry and confusion till the relief party was off. Aunt
Plenty was heartbroken that she could not go with them, but felt that
she was too infirm to be useful and, like a sensible old soul, tried to
content herself with preparing all sorts of comforts for the invalid.
Rose was less patient, and at first had wild ideas of setting off alone
and forcing her way to the spot where all her thoughts now centered. But
before she could carry out any rash project, Aunt Myra's palpitations
set in so alarmingly that they did good service for once and kept Rose
bu