Miss Janet began to be mighty
lonesome. I've been a great trouble to her."

"No, you have not," said Miss Janet; "you never were a trouble to any one."

"Master," said Bacchus, "I think the old ooman looks right well. She aint
nigh so bad as we all thought. I reckon she couldn't stand my bein away so
long; she hadn't nobody to trouble her."

"You will never give her any more trouble," said Alice. "Aunt Phillis, you
don't know how steady Uncle Bacchus has been; he is getting quite a
temperance man."

"Old Nick got the better of me twice, though," said Bacchus. "I did think,
master, of tryin to make Phillis b'lieve I hadn't drank nothin dis winter;
but she'd sure to find me out. There's somefin in her goes agin a lie."

"But that was doing very well," said Alice; "don't you think so, Aunt
Phillis? Only twice all through the winter."

"Its an improvement, honey," said Phillis; "but what's the use of getting
drunk at all? When we are thirsty water is better than any thing else; and
when we aint thirsty, what's the use of drinking?"

Phillis had been sitting in an arm-chair, that Mrs. Weston had placed for
her. When she first came in, her face was a little flushed from pleasure,
and the glow might have been mistaken as an indication of health. The
emotion passed, Mrs. Weston perceived there was a great change in her. She
was excessively emaciated; her cheek-bones prominent, her eyes large and
bright. The whiteness of her teeth struck them all. These symptoms, and the
difficulty with which she breathed, were tokens of her disease. She became
much fatigued and Miss Janet advised her to go home and lie down. "They
shan't tell you of their grand doings to-night, Phillis," she said; "for
you have been excited, and must keep quiet. In the morning you will be able
to listen to them. Don't tell any long stories, Bacchus," she continued.
"Dr. Lawton wants her to keep from any excitement at night, for fear she
should not sleep well after it. All you travelers had better go to bed
early, and wake up bright in the morning."

Alice went home with Phillis, and came back to welcome Mr. Barbour, who had
just arrived. The happy evening glided away; home was delightful to the
returned family.

Bacchus gave glowing descriptions of scenes, in which he figured largely,
to the servants; and Bacchus the younger devoutly believed there had not
been so distinguished a visitor to the metropolis that winter, as his
respected father.

Dr. La