The world has run so light and easy with me hitherto,
that you see I don't know how to bear with trouble. All thinking and
managing fell to my Maggie's share, and I had as little care on my hands
as one of my own boys--poor fellows. I don't know how it is to turn out,
but of all the men on earth to be left with eleven children, I should
choose myself as the worst."

Alan tried to say somewhat of "Confidence--affection--daughters," and
broke down, but it did as well as if it had been connected.

"Yes, yes," said the doctor, "they are good children every one of them.
There's much to be thankful for, if one could only pluck up heart to
feel it."

"And you are convinced that Marga--that Miss May is recovering."

"She has made a great advance today. The head is right, at least," but
the doctor looked anxious and spoke low as he said, "I am not satisfied
about her yet. That want of power over the limbs, is more than the mere
shock and debility, as it seems to me, though Ward thinks otherwise,
and I trust he is right, but I cannot tell yet as to the spine. If
this should not soon mend I shall have Fleet to see her. He was a
fellow-student of mine very clever, and I have more faith in him than in
any one else in that line."

"By all means--Yes," said Alan, excessively shocked. "But you will let
me know how she goes on--Richard will be so kind."

"We will not fail," said Dr May more and more touched at the sight of
the young sailor struggling in vain to restrain his emotion, "you shall
hear. I'll write myself as soon as I can use my hand, but I hope she may
be all right long before that is likely to be."

"Your kindness--" Alan attempted to say, but began again. "Feeling as I
must--" then interrupting himself. "I beg your pardon, 'tis no fit time,
nor fit--But you'll let me hear."

"That I will," said Dr May, and as Alan hastily left the room, he
continued, half aloud, to himself, "Poor boy! poor fellow. I see. No
wonder! Heaven grant I have not been the breaking of their two young
hearts, as well as my own! Maggie looked doubtful--as much as she ever
did when my mind was set on a thing, when I spoke of bringing him here.
But after all, she liked him as much as the rest of us did--she could
not wish it otherwise--he is one of a thousand, and worthy of our
Margaret. That he is! and Maggie thinks so. If he gets on in his
profession, why then we shall see--" but the sigh of anguish of mind
here showed that the wound had bu