and May, who had brought
the news, and Dora who was listening to them, to contradict her.

"He is come in the pursuit of knowledge," said Rose, with full command
of her countenance. "He does not understand Russian fever, or whatever
it is, and he thinks he had better make its acquaintance as a wind up to
taking his degree. He is still a doctor at large; he has not fixed on
where he is to go and what he is to do next, so his sister Kate writes
to me."

"Then he and his sister Kate had better make up their minds to go away
together, somewhere else, and not trouble other people," cried Annie
quite illogically.

"Why, Annie, father thinks it is very praiseworthy of Dr. Ironside to
seek to get all the information he can before settling down as a
doctor," remonstrated May in the guilelessness of her heart. "He has
just been calling on father, who is delighted with him--so is mother;
and, for _my_ part," finished the speaker with unconscious emphasis, as
if her opinion were of the utmost consequence, "I have thought him very
nice since the first time I met him at Mrs. Jennings's. He is so big and
handsome, without being stuck up, or a swell, like what Cyril Carey used
to be--just frank and pleasant as a man should be. I cannot comprehend
why you have such a dislike to him."

"Upon my word!" exclaimed Annie, with a gasp. "But I don't care," she
added vehemently; "he shall not come and carry on his investigations
here. Dr. Capes and I, with father to appeal to, and Mr. Newton to call
in and consult, if necessary, are more than sufficient for all the
patients we are likely to get. I tell you, if he forces his way into my
hospital I'll have nothing more to do with it; I'll throw it all up and
go back to St. Ebbe's at once."

"But it is not your hospital, Annie," said Rose with provoking
matter-of-factness. "It is the town's, or if it is under the control of
any private person, it is under Dr. Capes's orders. For the sake of his
professional character, medical etiquette, and all that kind of thing,
he will not refuse to allow a fellow-doctor to study the fever cases
under his care. Dr. Harry was going to stay at the 'Crown,' but he met
Tom Robinson, who said he should be his guest, and carried him off to
his house."

"Just like Tom Robinson!" declared Annie with amazing asperity.

"Come along, May." Rose hurried away her sister and satellite, and then
let loose her glee. "It is too funny, May; too preposterously funny. It