vice;" and
he threw himself upon the grass, and closed his eyes.

Having emptied his pockets upon the seat of the summer-house, and
invited Gertrude to partake, the doctor, still laughing at his boyish
feat, looked at his watch. "Half-past four! The cars go in ten minutes.
Who's going to drive me down to the depot?"

"I don't know, sir," replied Gertrude.

"Where's George?"

"He's gone to the meadow to get in some hay, but he left white Charlie
harnessed in the yard; I saw him fasten him to the chain, after he drove
you up from the cars."

"Ah! then you can drive me down to the depot."

"I can't, sir; I don't know how."

"But you must; I'll show you how. You're not afraid?"

"O, no, sir; but Mr. Graham----"

"Never you mind Mr. Graham--do you mind me. I'll answer for your coming
back safe enough."

Gertrude was naturally courageous; she had never driven before, but,
having no fears, she succeeded admirably, and, being often afterwards
called upon by Dr. Jeremy to perform the same service, she soon became
skilful in the use of the reins.

Dr. Jeremy was true to his promise of installing Gertrude in Emily's
sick room. The next visit he made to his patient, he spoke in terms of
the highest praise of Gertrude's devotion to her old uncle, and her
capability as a nurse, and asked why she had been expelled from the
chamber.

"She is timid," said Emily, "and is afraid of catching the fever."

"Don't believe it," said Dr. Jeremy; "'tan't like her."

"Do you think not?" inquired Emily, earnestly. "Mrs. Ellis----"

"Told a lie," interrupted the doctor. "Gerty wants to come and take care
of you, and she knows how as well as Mrs. Ellis any day; it isn't much
you need done. You want quiet, and that's what you can't have with that
great talking woman about. So I'll send her to Jericho to-day, and bring
my little Gertrude up here. She's a quiet little mouse, and has got a
head on her shoulders."

It is not to be supposed that Gertrude could provide for Emily's wants
any better than Mrs. Ellis; and Emily, knowing this, took care that the
housekeeper should not be sent to Jericho; for, though Dr. Jeremy, a man
of strong prejudices, did not like her, she was excellent in her
department, and could not be dispensed with.

So, though Emily, Dr. Jeremy, and Gertrude were all made happy by the
free admission of the latter to the sick-room, the housekeeper was never
conscious that anyone knew her ill-will to Gertrude.

T