do not still fall ill of the
distemper, but that they recover now, where once they would have
died. And whereas three weeks back they died in a day or two days,
now even if so be as they do die, it takes the poison eight or ten
days to kill them. The physicians say that that is because the
malignity of the distemper is abating, wherefore men scarce fear it
now, and come freely abroad, not in despair, as they did when it
was so virulent a scourge, but because they fear it so much less
than before."

"And our parents and those at home?" asked Reuben eagerly.

"All well, though something weary and worn; but it is wondrous how
they have borne up all through. Father says that he will come
hither to see us all the first moment he can. His duties are like
to have a speedy end; and he is longing for a sight of Reuben's
face, and of something better than closed houses and the wan faces
of the sick or the mourners."

"Poor brother James!" said Mary softly; "I would that he and his
would leave the city behind for a while, and remain under my roof
to recover their strength and health. It must have been a sorely
trying time. Think you that they could leave the house together?
For we would make shift to receive them all, an they could come."

This was a most delightful idea to all the party. The hospitable
cottage had plenty of rooms, although many of these were but attics
beneath the thatched roof, none too light or commodious. In summer
they might have been too warm and stuffy to be agreeable sleeping
places, but in the cooler autumn they would be good enough for
hardy young folks brought up simply and plainly.

Joseph and Benjamin at once dashed all over the place, making plans
for the housing of the whole party. It would be the finest end to a
melancholy period, being all together here in this homelike place.

Everything was duly arranged in the hopes of winning the father's
consent to the scheme. Mary Harmer hunted up stores of bedding and
linen, the latter of her own weaving, and every day they waited
impatiently for the appearing of James Harmer, who, however, was
unaccountably long in making his appearance.

He came at last, but it was with a sorrowful face and a bowed look
which told at once a story of trouble, and made the whole party
stand silent, after the first eager chorus of welcome, certain that
he was the bearer of bad news.

"My poor boy Dan!" he said in a choked voice, and sat himself
heavily down upon