ing out in front of the house until her father's return,
however long she might have to wait, but Rupert must be cared for, and
because she feared that his life might hang on his having prompt
attention just now, she gave way to Sylvia's suggestion, and told Don to
run to the next house to ask where Dr. Plumstead kept his key when he
had to go away.

Away sped Don, nothing loath, and, entering the gate of the next garden,
rushed up to the house door and knocked loudly.

The houses in this part of Hammerville were older than those of the more
crowded streets, indeed it looked as if the place had started as a
village at the first and then on second thoughts had grown out at one
side into a busy town, while the other side remained sleepy and
village-like, each abode having its own garden and orchard in the rear.

There was a minute of waiting, and then the door was opened to Don by a
sleepy-looking Irishwoman, garbed in a very dirty pinafore.

"I don't want any firewood to-day at all, at all, thank you," she said
pleasantly, her kindly face expanding into a genial smile.

"I have not brought you firewood, but I want to know where Dr. Plumstead
keeps his key when he is called away to a patient?" asked Don, lifting
his hat with so much courtesy that the good woman was tremendously
impressed.

"He has only got one key, sir, and he always takes that with him, except
when he leaves it at home," she said, with a sudden change of manner,
because she decided that this was one of the quality, and no errand boy,
as she at first imagined.

"Can you tell us how to get in?" asked Don rather desperately. "We are
Dr. Plumstead's children, all seven of us, and I am afraid that he was
not expecting us at this minute, so he is not at home, you see."

"Dr. Plumstead with sivin children! The saints preserve us! What next!"
cried the woman, flinging up her hands in such profound amazement that
Don could not help laughing, she looked so funny.

"The what next is that we want to get into the house as quickly as
possible, because Rupert, that is my eldest brother, is not well," he
explained, wondering why everyone should be so amazed because Dr.
Plumstead had children.

"I will let you in with my key. It fits the doctor's door, which is
very convenient, because you see I do for him, and real hard work it is,
for he is a dreadful particular gentleman. But sivin children, and you
not the eldest! My word, what is the world coming to?"