disposed
to cry.

"No one but a Tom-boy would dream of it," added Norman; and Mary
departed disconsolate, while Margaret gave a sigh of weariness, and
said, as she returned to her work, "There, I believe I have done. I hope
I was not cross with poor Mary, but it was rather too much to ask."

"I can't think how you can help being cross to every one," said Norman,
as he took away the books she had done with.

"I am afraid I am," said Margaret sadly. "It does get trying at times."

"I should think so! This eternal worrying must be more than any one can
bear, always lying there too."

"It is only now and then that it grows tiresome," said Margaret. "I am
too happy to be of some use, and it is too bad to repine, but sometimes
a feeling comes of its being always the same, as if a little change
would be such a treat."

"Aren't you very tired of lying in bed?"

"Yes, very, sometimes. I fancy, but it is only fancy, that I could move
better if I was up and dressed. It has seemed more so lately, since I
have been stronger."

"When do you think they will let you get up?"

"There's the question. I believe papa thinks I might be lifted to the
sofa now--and oh! how I long for it--but then Mr. Ward does not approve
of my sitting up, even as I am doing now, and wants to keep me flat.
Papa thinks that of no use, and likely to hurt my general health, and
I believe the end of it will be that he will ask Sir Matthew Fleet's
opinion."

"Is that the man he calls Mat?"

"Yes, you know they went through the university together, and were at
Edinburgh and Paris, but they have never met since he set up in London,
and grew so famous. I believe it would be a great treat to papa to have
him, and it would be a good thing for papa too; I don't think his arm is
going on right--he does not trust to Mr. Ward's treatment, and I am sure
some one else ought to see it."

"Did you know, Margaret, that he sits up quite late, because he cannot
sleep for it?"

"Yes, I hear him moving about, but don't tell him so; I would not have
him guess for the world, that it kept me awake."

"And does it?"

"Why, if I think he is awake and in pain I cannot settle myself to
sleep; but that is no matter; having no exercise, of course I don't
sleep so much. But I am very anxious about him--he looks so thin, and
gets so fagged--and no wonder."

"Ah! Mr. Everard told me he was quite shocked to see him, and would
hardly have known him," and Norman groaned from