"I told you that Conklin girl was not worth the trouble. She's singing
in a vaudeville show and it _does_ suit her. You couldn't get any
refined ambition in that vain and silly brain. It is casting pearls
before swine. Save the pearls for some one worthy. _She_ doesn't go
back to the Borden's this summer. When you get tired of her----"

"Shall we quarrel about her?" She glanced up with an odd, humorous
smile.

"Perhaps we shall in the end, but that is a good way off. When that
man comes today, just let him see Marilla."

Mr. Borden came punctually at two and was quite profuse in his thanks
for Miss Armitage's kindness.

"I regret to say that Marilla has progressed very slowly. She had
quite an exhausting fever at first. She was not able to come
downstairs until yesterday, and lies down several times through the
day."

"Is it possible! Why we thought--and we need her so much! Did you--"
he flushed a little, "have a good physician?"

"An excellent one whose practice is mostly among children. He thought
her quite worn out, but it was being overcome with the heat and she
fell off the steps. It was near congestion of the brain I believe."

"I'm awfully sorry. We were so busy just then, and my wife was worried
to death. The babies had always been so good, but I can't imagine
anything being so--so dreadful as they've been for a week. I've
scarcely slept an hour at a time and Mrs. Borden is clear worn out.
She thinks just the sight of Marilla would comfort them. We might go
on keeping that Ellen, though the babies won't take to her. I think
Marilla charmed them; but they're always been good until now. And
there's four more teeth to come through," in a despairing sort of
tone.

Miss Armitage had large sympathy and she felt really sorry for him.
Yet how providential that Marilla had missed the care!

"You have had a very bad time, certainly, and it is fortunate that
Marilla didn't give out on your hands. Would you like to see her,
though I think she is asleep."

"Yes--oh yes. If we kept Ellen, don't you think she might come down
next week. The sea-bathing would no doubt strengthen her."

"She has some heart weakness. I'm afraid she couldn't stand the
bathing."

Then she rose and led the way up stairs.

Marilla was asleep. Mr. Borden studied her in surprise.

"Why, she's grown dreadfully thin. Yes, she must have been very ill,
but like the babies, she'd always been well. I'm awful sorry. I don't
know what we sha