"

"Oh, very well then, perhaps it is not to be regretted. Kindly put those
roses in the deep vase, Mrs. Forbes."

"Yes, sir." She took up the box. "Besides, Mr. Evringham, if she does
get worse, you know the hospital here is one of the very best, and
you"--

Mr. Evringham wheeled and frowned upon the speaker fiercely. "Hospital!"
he ejaculated. "An extraordinary suggestion, Mrs. Forbes! Most
extraordinary! My granddaughter remains in my house."

Mrs. Forbes, crimson with surprise and mortification, retreated. "Very
well, sir," she faltered. "Will you have the roses on the dinner table,
Mr. Evringham?"

"No. Set them here on my desk if you please." With this Mr. Evringham
began walking up and down the floor, pausing once to take up the yellow
chicken. During the day the soft moan, "I wanted you so all night,
grandpa," had been ringing in his ears.

"Mrs. Forbes has no understanding of the child," he muttered, "and of
course I cannot expect anything from the cat and her kitten."

With this he began again his promenade. Mrs. Forbes returned with the
roses, and simultaneously Mr. Evringham saw Essex Maid arching her neck
as she picked her steps past the window.

"By the way," he said curtly, "let Zeke take the Maid back to the barn.
I'll not ride to-day."

"It's very fine weather, sir," protested Mrs. Forbes.

"I'll not ride. I'll wait here for Dr. Ballard."

The housekeeper went forth to give the order.

"I never saw Mr. Evringham so upset in my life," she said in an
awestruck tone.

"I saw the governor wasn't real comfortable," returned the boy. "Guess
he's afraid he's goin' to catch the mumps or something. It would be real
harrowin' if he got any worse case of big head than he's got already."

Mr. Evringham was little accustomed to waiting, and by the time Dr.
Ballard appeared, his nervousness had become painful. "The child's slept
too much, I'm sure of it, Ballard," was his greeting. "I don't know what
we're going to find up there, I declare I don't."

"It depends on whether it's a good sleep," returned the doctor, and his
composed face and manner acted at once beneficially upon Mr. Evringham.

"Well, you'll know, Guy, you'll know, my boy. Mrs. Forbes saw you
coming, and she has gone upstairs to prepare the little girl. She'll be
glad to see you this time, I'll wager."

The broker, roses in hand, ascended the staircase after the physician.
Mrs. Forbes was standing at the foot of the bed, and the ro