flowers. "It is a shame," she reflected indignantly; "it is very
likely nothing of any consequence, just one of those inconsiderate
people who think that a professional man ought to be always at their
beck and call."

"There, Maria, you're scoring another point for trade," said the little
doctor, getting on his feet, and buttoning up his coat as a preliminary
to obeying the call. "I'll warrant Wilkins and Ord will be toasting
their toes, and retiring to bed with the comfortable conviction that
their night's rest will not be disturbed; since Wilkins's head-man
attends to the slaughter-house, and the eldest journeyman baker sees to
the setting of the sponge. Why don't you say, _noblesse oblige_, Maria?
But I think I know the name of the inconsiderate individual who has
interrupted our conversation, and I assure you he would not if he could.
It is little Johnny Fleming--Fleming the grocer's son--whose case is
critical, I fear. I told his mother if he got worse to send for me at
once. When I am out, at any rate, I'll just look in on old Todd, in
Skinners' Buildings. He appeared in a dying state this morning; but as
the family have not sent to let me know of the death, if he has hung on
so long, the chance is he will rally and come round this bout. I'll be
some time; don't sit up for me, my dear."

"It is too bad," Mrs. Millar fretted. "They ought to send at night for
Newton or Capes from Woodleigh--it is only a step for any of the young
doctors, instead of disturbing a man of your age."

"Good heavens! don't breathe such a thing. I could not afford it. I
thought of taking a young partner twenty years ago, but I put it off
till it was too late. Perhaps it was a mistake; we all make mistakes,"
he sighed. "An active young practitioner, well up to date, might have
kept the business better together."

"Nonsense!" cried his wife energetically. "Nobody would have looked at
him when they could have had your skill and experience."

"Then be thankful I'm still fit for work--one must take the bad with the
good. It is the fortune of war, Maria," said the gallant old doctor as
he departed.

CHAPTER IV.

THE CRASH.

Within a month Carey's Bank broke, not altogether unexpectedly. The
breaking carried dismay and desolation into not a few households in
Redcross, and administered a sharp shock--productive of much startled
speculation, and roused distrust, even in those quarters which had not
suffered financially by the ban