uble with my eyes was due to my illness, and
that when I recovered from that, they would get well; but they did not.
I was able, physically, to resume my work, but I could not see to read
or write. I sent for my employer and told him my condition. He advised
me to consult an oculist at once. In fact, he got a carriage and took me
to one himself. The oculist said that the treatment would require at
least three months; so my employer told me I had better come home, and
that when I recovered I could have my place back again. He is a fine,
generous-hearted man and I should be very miserable if I thought I was
going to lose my place."

"But what did the oculist say was the trouble with your eyes?" Quincy
asked.

"He didn't tell me," replied Alice. "He may have told my employer. He
gave me some drops to put in my eyes three times a day; and a little
metal tube with a cover to it like the top of a pepper box; on the other
end is a piece of rubber tubing, with a glass mouthpiece attached to it"

"How do you use that?" asked Quincy.

Alice continued, "I hold the pepper box in front of my wide-opened eye;
then I put the glass mouthpiece in my mouth and blow, for a certain
length of time. I don't know how long it is. It seems as though a
thousand needles were driven into my eyeball. The drops make me cry;
but the little tube brings the tears in torrents."

"Isn't that harsh treatment?" asked Quincy, as he looked at the
beautiful blue but sightless eyes that were turned towards him.

"No," said Alice with a laugh, "the pain and the tears are like an April
shower, for both soon pass away."

At this moment Uncle Ike entered the room and Ezekiel's steps were heard
descending the stairs. Uncle Ike said, "We have got it started and
'Zeke's gone down to bring up a good stock of wood. If you have no
objection, Mr. Sawyer, I will sit down here a few minutes. Don't let me
interrupt your conversation."

"I hope you will take a part in it," said Quincy. "You put a lot of new
ideas into my head the first time I came to see you, and perhaps you may
have some more new ones for me to-day. Miss Pettengill was just saying
she would feel miserable if she lost her situation."

"I have no doubt of it," said Uncle Ike. "The Pettengills are not afraid
to work. If a man is obliged to earn his living by the sweat of his
brow, I don't see why woman shouldn't do the same thing."

"But the home is woman's sphere," said Quincy.

"Bosh!" cried Unc