nds too.

"No, mother," she said, looking at her.

"Why child!"--Mrs. Derrick began,--then she stopped and began again. "I
guess he'd rather see you than that box, child,--if the doctor hasn't
talked him to death."

"Mother, do you think he would like to have me come up and see him?"

"Like it?" said Mrs. Derrick, her mind almost refusing to consider such
an absurd question. "I'm sure he likes to see you when he's well,
Faith. Didn't he like it last night?"

Faith looked a little bit grave, then she hastily pushed her brown
moreen and box into a somewhat more orderly state of disorganization,
and went up stairs, with a quick light step that was not heard before
her tap at Mr. Linden's door. And then receiving permission she went
in, a little rosy this time at venturing into the charmed region when
its occupant was there; and came with her step a little lighter, a
little slower, up to the side of the couch and held out her hand;
saying her soft "How do you do, Mr. Linden?"

He was lying just as the doctor had left him, with the unopened
letters, and the white paper which Faith felt instinctively was her own
exercise. But eye and hand were ready for her.

"Courageous Miss Faith!" he said with a smile. "And so, 'She's gentle
and not fearful'?"

She smiled, with an eye that took wistful note of him.

"How do you feel to-day, Mr. Linden?"

"Not very well--and not worse. Miss Faith, do you know that we have a
great deal to do this week? You may lock up your stocking basket."

"Please let me do something for you, Mr. Linden?" she said earnestly.

"That's just what I'm talking about. Do you think, Miss Faith, that if
you brought that low chair here, and set the door wide open so that you
could run out if you got frightened at my grim appearance, you would be
willing to philosophize a little?"

"Not to-day, Mr. Linden," said Faith. "Don't speak so! I haven't any
stocking basket in the way. Can't I do _something_ that would do you
some good?"

"It would do me a great deal of good to get up and set that chair for
you, but that is something I must ask you to do for me. I see you want
coaxing"--he added, looking at her. "Well--if you will do half a dozen
things for me this morning, you shall have the reward of a letter and
two messages."

Faith looked down doubtful,--doubtful, whether to do what would please
herself, and him, would be just right to-day; but the pleading of the
affirmative side of the question was