tir up the
fire in a minute, Mr. Fletcher. You are always welcome in my kitchen,
young gentlemen." And Mrs. Tod bustled about, well aware what a cosy
and cheerful old-fashioned kitchen it was, especially of evenings.

But when John explained the reason of our intrusion there was no end to
her pleasure and gratitude. He was the kindest young gentleman that
ever lived.--She would tell Miss March so; as, indeed, she had done
many a time.

"'Miss,' said I to her the very first day I set eyes on you, when I had
told her how you came hunting for lodgings--(she often has a chat with
me quite freely, being so lonesome-like, and knowing I to be too proud
to forget that she's a born lady)--'Miss,' said I, 'who Mr. Halifax may
be I don't know, but depend upon it he's a real gentleman.'"

I was the sole amused auditor of this speech, for John had vanished. In
a few minutes more he had brought the mare round, and after a word or
two with me was clattering down the road.

I wondered whether this time any white-furred wrist stirred the blind
to watch him.

John was away a wonderfully short time, and the doctor rode back with
him. They parted at the gate, and he came into our parlour, his cheeks
all glowing with the ride. He only remarked, "that the autumn nights
were getting chill," and sat down. The kitchen clock struck one.

"You ought to have been in bed hours ago, Phineas. Will you not go? I
shall sit up just a little while, to hear how Mr. March is."

"I should like to hear, too. It is curious the interest that one
learns to take in people that are absolute strangers, when shut up
together in a lonely place like this, especially when they are in
trouble."

"Ay, that's it," said he, quickly. "It's the solitude, and their being
in trouble. Did you hear anything more while I was away?"

"Only that Mr. March was rather better, and everybody had gone to bed
except his daughter and Mrs. Tod."

"Hark! I think that's the doctor going away. I wonder if one might
ask--No! they would think it intrusive. He must be better. But Dr.
Brown told me that in one of these paroxysms he might--Oh, that poor
young thing!"

"Has she no relatives, no brothers or sisters? Doctor Brown surely
knows."

"I did not like to ask, but I fancy not. However, that's not my
business: my business is to get you off to bed, Phineas Fletcher, as
quickly as possible."

"Wait one minute, John. Let us go and see if we can do anything more