ll do. Mrs. Borden had counted so on her coming. And
she said over half a dozen times that I must not forget to thank you
for all this kindness. You must send me the doctor's bill. She's such
a nice child, Miss Armitage."

Marilla stirred and opened her eyes, closed them sighed and opened
them again, then half murmured--"Oh, doctor," and started.

"Marilla, child, don't you remember Mr. Borden?"

"I had not told her about your coming. We keep her as tranquil as
possible."

"Oh, Mr. Borden!" Marilla sat up. "And the babies?"

"The babies are in a very poor way, Marilla. They certainly are
homesick for you. We try to keep them comforted with the promise of
you. Oh, I hoped you would be well enough to go down with me this
afternoon. Their mother will be telling them you will surely come.
Poor little girl, but you are going to get well, aren't you? And Jack
thinks there's no fun without you, and no one to read to him or tell
him stories."

The child gave a vague smile. She was very glad to be away from Jack;
indeed, sick babies did not appear attractive to her just now, but she
said--

"Oh, I'm very sorry. The doctor said it was the heat and----"

"It was awfully hot that week. That made the babies worse. Oh, if I
could take you down just to amuse them. You made them laugh so,
Marilla. You know just how to do it. Well--it can't be helped, but you
must try to get well and have some good of the pretty country place.
Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Miss Armitage is so good. And Jane and the doctor. And the yard is
full of flowers. I'm very happy."

"I suppose so. Maybe you won't want to come back. But you belong to
us, you know and we can't give you up."

Then he turned to go.

"Will you kiss the babies for me and tell them how sorry I am, and ask
Jack not to tease them, and--and--" she swallowed over a great lump in
her throat--"I shall come back when I get well."

"That's a good girl. Good-bye. I shall be in town next week and will
come in and see you."

He gave the little hand a clasp. Miss Armitage went down with him.
Marilla turned her face over on the pillow and cried as if her heart
would break. Could she go back to the babies and Jack? And Bridget
wasn't as sweet as Jane, and there was sharp Aunt Hetty----

"My dear! My dear!" said the soft voice with its infinite pity, and
the sweet lips kissed hers.

"Oh, Miss Armitage, won't God take you to heaven if you pray very
hard? I should hate to