tion telling her that Dora must be seen to first. Annie took off
Dora's hat and jacket, seated her in the easiest chair, would hear
nothing more till she--Annie--had learnt when Dora had breakfasted, and
then rung for a basin of soup and made her swallow it. "Now, Dora," she
said, sitting down by her sister, "tell me all there is to tell. What
have father and mother to live upon? We must think and act for them
now."

Dora explained as well as she was able, since, like her mother, she had
no great head for business. In addition to the sum given for the
good-will of Dr. Millar's practice, and for his house and furniture,
which was to be paid over to the liquidators of the bank's debts, (in
return for which the debtor would get a discharge from farther
obligations,) a small percentage was to be allowed to him from his
successor's fees.

"I am afraid it will be very small," Dora made the despondent remark,
"because, though all his former patients are fond of father, they got to
see he was breaking up, and did not like to send for him during the
night, or at odd hours. Mother and I did what we could, going round for
him and inquiring after his patients; but, as he said, such a make-shift
could not last. We were always hearing of more families calling in Dr.
Capes or Mr. Newton. Father declared he could not blame them; he would
have done the same in their place, and that every dog must have his
day."

"That was like father," said Annie, looking up with a fleeting sparkle
in her eyes.

"Then we thought," went on Dora, "father and mother might have part of
mother's money, since you have always said you did not need it, while
Rose is getting paid for her work, and there is hardly any doubt"
(brightening up,) "but that 'little May' will take the scholarship.
She was working so hard to pass her examination when she wrote last,
that she was quite out of spirits about her chances, which father says
is always the way with the best men when they are going in for an
examination that they are safe to win. He supposes it will be still
more so with women. He tells mother that he will not mind taking help
from her, where her money is concerned, when he can no longer stir from
his chair--not to say to earn a fee, but to save his life. He has taken
so much more help from her in other ways during all their married life,
that this in addition will not count."

CHAPTER XIX.

THE UNEMPLOYED--A FAMILIAR FACE.

A lodging was foun