ctionately. "Don't you know that you're
all the dearest and best friends we've got in the world? Hasn't the
doctor been sitting up with John night after night, and saved his life?"

"Oh, nonsense! nonsense!" said the doctor quickly.

"It's quite true, Mrs Braydon," said the governor warmly; "and God
bless him for it!"

"There!" cried Lady O'Hara, "now let's all be comfortable. Why, it's
like being at home, at the old place from which John fetched me when he
was only Lieutenant O'Hara, and hadn't a grand handle to his name.
Gyurls, I'm going to enjoy myself with you while the governor gets
strong and well. Sure I can make butter as well as either of you.
Didn't we have two Kerry cows at home? As for bread, there I'll bate--
beat I mean--either of you. Nic, boy, you'll take me round with you
when you go to see to the stock; only I must have a quiet ould mare--
none of your great tatthering savage craytures that want to go like the
wind. I've brought my strong riding habit. And you gyurls, you'll ride
too?"

"Of course," cried Janet eagerly.

"Then we're going to have quite a happy time; and John'll get quite
strong, won't he, doctor?"

"Yes, he'll be a new man in a month."

"What!" cried the lady, with an assumed look of alarm: "John, darlin',
order the waggon and horses out. Ring for the men. We'll go back home
directly, and try the new doctor that's just come out."

"Why?" said Sir John, smiling.

"Sure, didn't he say he'd make a new man of you? Don't I want you the
same as you always were? A new man, indeed!"

A merry evening was passed, but before they parted for the night the
doctor said:

"I've asked no questions, Nic, boy; but all seems to be right."

"Nearly, father--not quite."

"Not quite? Well, that doesn't sound very serious. But I want to know
fully what this upset has been about the assigned servant."

Nic briefly told of the trouble.

"Ah, well, we'll have that over in the morning, Nic. I'm sorry, though,
for I thought the man was trustworthy."

Nic gave his father a pained look, as the doctor went on: "I shall ride
over and see Dillon. Well, what next?"

"Three sheep have gone, father, one after the other."

"I am not surprised," said the doctor drily.

"But, father--" began Nic.

"Not to-night, my boy. I know what you are going to say. This man was
rather a favourite of yours. Now, what other troubles?"

"None, father."

"That's good. Then you've done well,