investigate.

They turned back, looking along the frozen ground.

"Never mind," Lily said, cheerfully, when they had reached the Ramsey
gate and returned to the Edgham's, and the handkerchief was not
forthcoming, "it was an old one, anyway. Good-night."

She knew quite well that George Edgham would do what he did--walk
home with her the few steps between her house and Maria's, and that
Maria would not hesitate to say good-night and enter her own door.

"I guess I had better go right in," said Maria. "Aunt Maria has a
cold, and she may worry and be staying up."

Lily was entirely happy at walking those few steps with George
Ramsey. He had pulled her little hand through his arm in a school-boy
sort of fashion. He left her at the door with a friendly good-night,
but she had got what she wanted. He had not gone those few steps
alone with Maria. Lily loved Maria, but she did not want George
Ramsey to love her.

When Lily entered the house, to her great astonishment she found Dr.
Ellridge there. He was seated beside her mother, who was lying on the
sofa.

"Why, mother, what is it--are you sick?" Lily cried, anxiously, while
the doctor looked with admiration at her face, glowing with the cold.

"I had one of my attacks after supper, and sent Norah for Dr.
Ellridge. I thought I had better," Mrs. Merrill explained, feebly.
She sighed and looked at the doctor, who understood perfectly, but
did not betray himself. He was, in fact, rather flattered.

"Yes, your mother has been feeling quite badly, but she will be all
right now," he said to Lily.

"I am sorry you did not feel well, mother," Lily said, sweetly. Then
she got her fancy-work from her little silk bag on the table and
seated herself, after removing her wraps.

Her mother sighed. The doctor's mouth assumed a little, humorous
pucker.

Lily looked at her mother with affectionate interest. She was quite
accustomed to slight attacks of indigestion which her mother often
had, and was not much alarmed, still she felt a little anxious. "You
are sure you are better, mother?" she said.

"Oh yes, she is much better," the doctor answered for her. "There is
nothing for you to be alarmed about."

"I am so glad," said Lily.

She took another stitch in her fancy-work, and her beautiful face
took on an almost seraphic expression; she was thinking of George
Ramsey. She hardly noticed when the doctor took his leave, and she
did not in the least understand her mother's si