was in a suit which, if it
ever succeeded, would make us all brothers and sisters. She was so good
as to add that while she was aware Harry always knew best, and she had
entire faith in his choice, still she was not entirely of his mind--I
don't believe Annie has ever spoken to her, lest speech with the sister
should be taken for encouragement to the brother. It is only natural
perhaps that, as Kate ventured to admit, on the whole she would have
preferred _me_."

"And what did you say to that?" asked the deeply-interested May.

"No, thanks, though I was much obliged, or something like it. I added
with some dignity, I flatter myself, though really such dignity is
thrown away on Kate, that for the present I was wedded to my art, like
Queen Elizabeth to her kingdom, and to my sister Maisie. Besides,
nothing could, would, or should ever induce me to meddle with my sister
Annie's property, since, according to Kate's own account, it was for
love of Annie, and not of me, that Harry Ironside took up his residence
under Mrs. Jennings's roof."

But Annie had to give way to some extent. She was compelled to grant an
interview to the aggressor. Dr. Ironside arrived on a special errand to
the hospital, and he took up the position that Miss Millar was entitled
to be consulted. Tom Robinson had been attacked with every symptom of
the fever. He and Tom had agreed, in view of the public character of
"Robinson's," and with the idea that the step might do good, by serving
as an example, that the patient should come to the hospital and be laid
up there, where Dr. Harry Ironside was ready to devote himself to the
case.

"I believe Tom Robinson has taken the fever on purpose," said Annie to
the shocked Dora. "But he shall not have much of my attendance; he may
stick to his Dr. Ironside. Dr. Capes tells me he has induced a married
woman, with a family, who has a brother and a nephew lodging with her,
both of them down with fever, to send them here, so that I shall have
them to look after. Now that there is a beginning made," Annie smoothed
her ruffled plumes, and waxed cheerful, "if the hot weather does not
change, and the disease is not checked, we are likely to have plenty of
patients on our hands, with the opportunity of showing what service we
can render them and the town."

Just as Annie predicted, the rows of beds began to fill, and she had no
lack of occupation; but she changed her tale with regard to Tom Robinson
when his case,