uld
remember, only when the father died. Fear lent speed to her feet; and
soon the doctor came, and bent over poor little Phronsie, who still lay
in her mother's arms, in a burning fever.

"It's measles," he pronounced, "that's all; no cause for alarm; you ever
had it?" he asked, turning suddenly around on Polly, who was watching
with wide-open eyes for the verdict.

"No, sir," answered Polly, not knowing in the least what "measles" was.

"What shall we do!" said Mrs. Pepper; "there haven't any of them had
it."

The doctor was over by the little old table under the window, mixing up
some black-looking stuff in a tumbler, and he didn't hear her.

"There," he said, putting a spoonful into Phronsie's mouth, "she'll get
along well enough; only keep her out of the cold." Then he pulled out a
big silver watch. He was a little thin man, and the watch was immense.
Polly for her life couldn't keep her eyes off from it; if Ben could only
have one so fine!

"Polly," whispered Mrs. Pepper, "run and get my purse; it's in the top
bureau drawer."

"Yes'm," said Polly, taking her eyes off, by a violent wrench, from
the fascinating watch; and she ran quickly and got the little old
stocking-leg, where the hard earnings that staid long enough to be put
anywhere, always found refuge. She put it into her mother's lap, and
watched while Mrs. Pepper counted out slowly one dollar in small pieces.

"Here sir," said Mrs. Pepper, holding them out towards the doctor; "and
thank you for coming."

"Hey!" said the little man, spinning round; "that dollar's the Lord's!"

Mrs. Pepper looked bewildered, and still sat holding it out. "And the
Lord has given it to you to take care of these children with; see that
you do it." And without another word he was gone.

"Wasn't he good, mammy?" asked Polly, after the first surprise was over.

"I'm sure he was," said Mrs. Pepper. "Well, tie it up again, Polly, tie
it up tight; we shall want it, I'm sure," sighing at her little sick
girl.

"Mayn't I take Phronsie, ma?" asked Polly.

"No, no," said Phronsie. She had got mammy, and she meant to improve the
privilege.

"What is 'measles' anyway, mammy?" asked Polly, sitting down on the
floor at their feet.

"Oh, 'tis something children always have," replied Mrs. Pepper; "but I'm
sure I hoped it wouldn't come just yet."

"I sha'n't have it," said Polly, decisively; "I know I sha'n't! nor
Ben--nor Joe--nor--nor Davie--I guess," she added, hesitati