ors and windows, and putting out the lights. And I generally ran
home as quick as I could from the day-school I went to. Phyllis would be
at the door, with her little pale face beaming, and brimming over with
questions about my games and successes.

'Well, one Saturday afternoon, I was to play for the school in a
football match; I was a good runner, and strong for my size, though I
was quite a little chap. I remember being very much annoyed with my
mother for saying I had better not play, as I had had a cold. I had
caught it from Phyllis, we thought; but, as I was a robust lad, it was
soon thrown off. But my sister--she was always delicate--still had a
cough, and seemed dull and had headache. Of course I laughed at my
mother's fears, took my football jersey from before the fire--she had
washed it, and was just as particular about airing as your mother
is--fussy, you would say--and off I went, in high spirits.

'"I won't be late," I called from the door.

'"No, be quick home, there's my dear boy," my mother said; and Phyllis,
who was lying on the sofa, looked up for a minute with, "Play up, Jim.
Mind you win the match."

'But mother followed me to the door.

'"Jim," she said, speaking low, "I don't feel easy about Phyllis. She is
feverish to-day. I think you had better call and ask Dr. Harris to
come."

'"Oh, Mother," I said, "she will be all right! My cold was just as bad
while it lasted. You shouldn't fret about nothing." I had got into the
way of giving her a good deal of advice.

'"I wish I could think so," she said, anxiously; "but, anyway, Jim, just
run in on your way to the ground, and tell him. Then he will come before
he starts on his round."

'"All right," I replied, with a hasty kiss, and off I went.

'In the next street I fell in with another fellow, who was in a great
hurry.

'"I say, old chap, we shall be late," he panted, as we dashed into a
short cut for the playing-field.

'I wish, Roger, that I could comfort myself by saying that I forgot my
mother's request. But as I turned that corner I saw the doctor's house,
and thought of it at once. "But, then," I said to myself, "she is only
fussing. Phyllis will be all right in the morning, and I dare say the
doctor has gone out. It will do just as well after the game."

'For the rest of the afternoon's pleasure, I never gave a second's
thought to my mother and sister.'

'There,' said Roger, triumphantly, 'you were just as bad as I, weren't
you?