t the Hall. Any one else ill?"

"Only the two Willses. They were carousing at the 'Three Pigeons.'
I hope that Raymond's prohibition against that place may have been
the saving of the Hall servants. See here," and he gave the note.

"I had better take those two funerals. I can at least do that,"
said Herbert. "That Driver must be a regular case of a hireling."

"He never professed that the sheep were his," said Julius.

"Then I'll go to the Vicarage and get a list of the sick, and see
after them as far as I can," said Herbert, in a grave, humble tone,
showing better than a thousand words how he felt the deprivation he
had brought on himself; and as to shame or self-consciousness, the
need had swallowed them all.

"It will be a great act of kindness, Herbert. The point of
infection does not seem clear yet, but I am afraid it will be a
serious outbreak."

"I did not believe it could all be true when the report came to Rood
House, but of course I came to hear the truth and see what I could
do. How is Mrs. Poynsett bearing up?"

"Bravely. Anne contrived our carrying her up-stairs, and it is the
greatest comfort to Raymond to lie and look at her, and Susan looks
after them both."

"Then he can't be so very ill."

"Not so acutely, but there are symptoms that make Worth anxious.
Shall I give you a note for Mrs. Fuller?"

"Do, and put me at your disposal for all you can spare for, or I can
do. Have you written to Bindon?"

"I don't know where, within some hundred miles. But, Herbert, I
think we ought to undertake the help that is wanted at Wil'sbro'.
Smith of Duddingstone is too weakly, and poor old Mr. Moulden
neither could nor would. We are the nearest, and having it here
already, do not run the risk of spreading it. As things are, I
cannot be very long away from home, but I would come in for an hour
or so every day, if you could do the rest."

"Yes, that was what I meant," said Herbert.

"Worth says the best protection is never to go among the sick hungry
or exhausted. He says he keeps a biscuit in his pocket to eat
before going into a sick house. I shall make Rosamond keep you
supplied, and you must promise to use them."

"Oh yes, I promise."

"And never drink anything there. There is to be a public meeting
to-morrow, to see whether the cause of this outbreak is not
traceable to the water down there."

"Mrs. Duncombe's meddling?"

"Don't judge without evidence. But it does seem as if t