atter what the consequences might be. That is one
of her cardinal rules. I suppose it's very old-fashioned ."

"Don't be bitter, Anne-girl. You know you don't think it
old-fashioned--you know you have the very same idea of sacredness of
assumed responsibilities yourself. And you are right. Shirking
responsibilities is the curse of our modern life--the secret of all the
unrest and discontent that is seething in the world."

"Thus saith the preacher," mocked Anne. But under the mockery she felt
that he was right; and she was very sick at heart for Leslie.

A week later Miss Cornelia descended like an avalanche upon the little
house. Gilbert was away and Anne was compelled to bear the shock of
the impact alone.

Miss Cornelia hardly waited to get her hat off before she began.

"Anne, do you mean to tell me it's true what I've heard--that Dr.
Blythe has told Leslie Dick can be cured, and that she is going to take
him to Montreal to have him operated on?"

"Yes, it is quite true, Miss Cornelia," said Anne bravely.

"Well, it's inhuman cruelty, that's what it is," said Miss Cornelia,
violently agitated. "I did think Dr. Blythe was a decent man. I
didn't think he could have been guilty of this."

"Dr. Blythe thought it was his duty to tell Leslie that there was a
chance for Dick," said Anne with spirit, "and," she added, loyalty to
Gilbert getting the better of her, "I agree with him."

"Oh, no, you don't, dearie," said Miss Cornelia. "No person with any
bowels of compassion could."

"Captain Jim does."

"Don't quote that old ninny to me," cried Miss Cornelia. "And I don't
care who agrees with him. Think--THINK what it means to that poor
hunted, harried girl."

"We DO think of it. But Gilbert believes that a doctor should put the
welfare of a patient's mind and body before all other considerations."

"That's just like a man. But I expected better things of you, Anne,"
said Miss Cornelia, more in sorrow than in wrath; then she proceeded to
bombard Anne with precisely the same arguments with which the latter
had attacked Gilbert; and Anne valiantly defended her husband with the
weapons he had used for his own protection. Long was the fray, but
Miss Cornelia made an end at last.

"It's an iniquitous shame," she declared, almost in tears. "That's
just what it is--an iniquitous shame. Poor, poor Leslie!"

"Don't you think Dick should be considered a little too?" pleaded Anne.

"Dick! Dick Moore!