soul came out of her poor eyes and sat in the sunshine. She
spoke her mind at ease, as we utter sacred things sometimes under cover
of darkness.

"You seem to have had an accident; what can I do to help you?" she
asked.

"Nothing, thank you. The boy has been sick for some days, but he seems
worse since last night. Nothing is in its right place in the house, so I
have given up trying to find anything, and am just going to Edgewood to
see if somebody will help me for a few days."

"Uncle Tony! Uncle To-ny! where are you? Do give me another drink, I'm
so hot!" came the boy's voice from within.

"Coming, laddie! I don't believe he ought to drink so much water, but
what can I do? He is burning up with fever."

"Now look here, Mr. Croft," and Lydia's tone was cheerfully decisive.
"You sit down in that rocker, please, and let me command the ship for
a while. This is one of the cases where a woman is necessary. First and
foremost, what were you hunting for?"

"My hat and the butter," said Anthony meekly, and at this unique
combination they both laughed. Lyddy's laugh was particularly fresh,
childlike, and pleased; one that would have astonished the Reynolds
children. She had seldom laughed heartily since little Rufus had cried
and told her she frightened him when she twisted her face so.

"Your hat is in the wood-box, and I'll find the butter in the twinkling
of an eye, though why you want it now is more than--My patience, Mr.
Croft, your hand is burned to a blister!"

"Don't mind me. Be good enough to look at the boy and tell me what ails
him; nothing else matters much."

"I will with pleasure, but let me ease you a little first. Here's a rag
that will be just the thing," and Lyddy, suiting the pretty action to
the mendacious worn, took a good handkerchief from her pocket and tore
it in three strips, after spreading it with tallow from a candle heated
over the stove. This done, she hound up the burned hand skillfully, and,
crossing the dining-room, disappeared within the little chamber door
beyond. She came out presently, and said half hesitatingly, "Would
you--mind going out in the orchard for an hour or so? You seem to be
rather in the way here, and I should like the place to myself, if you'll
excuse me for saying so. I'm ever so much more capable than Mrs. Buck;
won't you give me a trial, sir? Here's your violin and your hat. I'll
call you if you can help or advise me."

"But I can't let a stranger come in and