I suppose I have it, but it doesn't
trouble me now."

"I came down on principle," said he, -- "to exchange the office
of nurse for that of physician; -- thinking it probably better
that you should see me for a few minutes, than see nobody at
all."

"I am sure you were right," said Elizabeth. "I felt awhile ago
as if my head would go crazy with too many thoughts."

"Must be unruly thoughts," said Winthrop.

"They were," said she looking up.

"Can't you manage unruly thoughts?"

"No! -- never could."

"Do you know what happens in that case? -- They manage you."

"But how can I help it, Mr. Landholm? There they are, and here
am I; -- they are strong and I am weak."

"If they are the strongest, they will rule."

Elizabeth sat silent, thinking her counsellor was very
unsatisfactory.

"Are you going to sit up all night, Miss Elizabeth?"

"No -- I suppose not --"

"I shall; so you may feel easy about being alone down here.
There could be no disturbance, I think, without my knowing it.
Let Clam be here to keep you company; and take the best rest
you can."

It was impossible for Elizabeth to say a word of thanks, or of
his kindness; the words choked her; she was mute.

"Can I do anything, Mr. Landholm?"

"Nothing in the world -- but manage your thoughts," he said
smiling.

Elizabeth was almost choked again, with the rising of tears
this time.

"But Mr. Landholm -- about that -- what is wrong cannot be
necessary; there must be some way of managing them?"

"You know it," he said simply.

But it finished Elizabeth's power of speech. She did not even
attempt to look up; she sat pressing her chin with her hand,
endeavouring to keep down her heart and to keep steady her
quivering lips. Her companion, who in the midst of all her
troubles she many times that evening thought was unlike any
other person that ever walked, presently went out into the
hall and called to Clam over the balusters.

"Is he going to give her directions about taking care of me?"
thought Elizabeth in a great maze, as Winthrop came back into
the parlour and sat down again. When Clam appeared however he
only bade her take a seat; and then bringing forth a bible
from his pocket he opened it and read the ninety-first psalm.
Hardly till then it dawned upon Elizabeth what he was thinking
to do; and then the words that he read went through and
through her heart like drawn daggers. One after another, one
after another. Little he imagined, w