e me cry. So I hurried out again, away from
them, and away from the meadow, and walked in the woods all that
Saturday afternoon, thinking to and fro,--not so violently as in the
morning, for I was weaker, but very confusedly and in endless
perplexity. How could I stay in Greenville? I should have to be with
Jim! But how could I go? What reason had I to give? and what would
people think was my reason? But would it not be wrong to stay and see
Jim? But it would be wrong to break my engagement to the school
committee!

At length again the clock struck five, which was supper-time, and I saw
myself no nearer the end of my difficulties; and I had to say once
again, "God help me! God have mercy on me!" and so went home.

Mrs. Johnson was awaiting me, with this letter for me in her pocket. It
is not in Fanny's handwriting, however, but in that of a friend of ours
with whom she was staying, Mrs. Physick, the wife of the most eminent of
the younger physicians in Beverly, our native town. I opened it hastily
and read:--

"Friday.

"MY DEAR KATIE:--

"You must not be uneasy at my writing instead of Fannie, as
the Doctor thinks it too great an effort for her. She has
had an attack of influenza, not very severe, but you know
she is never very strong, and I am afraid she is too much
afraid of calling on me for any little thing she wants done.
So we think, the Doctor and I, it would do her good to have
a little visit from you. She wanted us to wait for the
summer vacation, so as not to alarm you; but you know that
is three whole weeks off, and nobody knows how much better
she may be within that time. The Doctor says, suggest to
Katie that the committee might, under the circumstances,
agree to her ending the spring term a little earlier than
usual, and beginning a little earlier in the fall.

"Yours as ever,

"JULIA.

"P. S. You must not be anxious about dear Fannie. She has
brightened up very much already at the mere thought of
seeing you. Her cough is not half so troublesome as it was a
week ago, and the Doctor says her very _worst_ symptom is
_weakness_. She says she _must_ write _one word_ herself."

O what a tremulous word!

"DEAR KATY:--

"_Do_ come if you can, and _don't_ be anxious. Indeed I am
growing stronger every day, and eating _so_ much meat, and
drinking _so_ much whiskey. It does m