ther in the garden if the weather was fair, in the pharmacy
if it was stormy. Madame Rivals was always there, and as there was no
apothecary's store in Etiolles, put up simple prescriptions herself.
She had done this for so many years, that she had attained considerable
experience, and was often consulted in her husband's absence. The
children found vast amusement in deciphering the labels on the bottles,
and pasting on new ones. Jack did this with all a boy's awkwardness,
while little Cecile used her hands as gravely and deftly as a woman
grown.

The old physician delighted in taking the children with him when he went
about the country to visit his patients. The carriage was large, the
children small, so that the three were stowed in very comfortably, and
merrily jogged over the rough roads. Wherever they went they were warmly
welcomed, and while the doctor climbed the narrow stairs, the children
roamed at will through the farm-yard and fields.

Illness among these peasant homes assumes a very singular aspect. It is
never allowed to interfere with the routine and labors of daily life.
The animals must be fed and housed for the night, and driven out to
pasture in the morning, whether the farmer be well or ill. If ill, the
wife has no time to nurse him, or even to be anxious. After a hard day's
toil she throws herself on her pallet and sleeps soundly until dawn,
while her good man tosses feverishly at her side, longing for morning.
Every one worshipped the doctor, who they affirmed would have been very
rich, had he not been so generous.

His professional visits over, the old man and the children started for
home. The Seine, misty and dark with the approach of evening, had yet
occasional bars of golden light crossing its surface. Slender trees,
with their foliage heavily massed at the top, like palms, and the low
white houses along the brink, gave a vague suggestion of an Eastern
scene. "It is like Nazareth," said little Cecile; and the two children
told each other stories while the carriage rolled slowly homeward.

Doctor Rivals soon discovered that Jack was by no means wanting in
intelligence, and determined, with his natural kindness of heart, to
himself supply the great deficiencies in education by giving him an
hour's instruction daily. Those of my readers who are in the habit of
enjoying a siesta after dinner, will appreciate the sacrifice made by
the old man, when I add that it was this precise time that he now