eality which gave such
pleasure, Mrs. Derrick answered, "Yes, child, it's real--and so's he."

Faith said nothing to that except by her smile. She only spoke the hope
that she might be stronger the next day; a sentiment which though at
first sight it might seem to have nothing to do with the former
subject, was really in very close connexion with it.

But Faith was not stronger the next day. The fever was not driven away
and strength was in the grip of it yet. The doctor gave her no new
directions, but insisted very much on quietness and care. There was
nothing to be apprehended of the fever but tediousness, and the further
and prolonged loss of strength; but that was quite enough to have to
avoid. For that she must take all sorts of care. He also said that the
case might go on without his oversight for a day or two, and that for
that space of time in the middle of the week he should be absent from
Pattaquasset, having a very urgent call of business elsewhere.

And whether for that reason or needing no fresh one, the doctor having
stated so much went on to tell about other things, and made a long
visit. The talk came upon the Bible again, Faith didn't know how, and
grew very animated. Dr. Harrison had brought with him this morning one
of his pleasantest moods, or manners; he thought yesterday that Faith's
eyes had given him a reproof for slander, and he had no intent to
offend in the like way again. He was grave, gentle, candid,
seemingly--willing to listen, but that he always was to Faith; and
talked sense or feeling in a most sensible and simple way. Yet the
conversation ended with giving Faith great pain. He had asked her to
read something confirmatory or illustrative of the statement she was
making, out of the Bible; and Faith had complied with his wish. That
was nothing strange. She had often done it. To-day the reading had been
followed by a little observation, acutely put, which Faith felt raised
a barrier between him and the truth she had been pressing. She felt it,
and yet she could not answer him. She knew it was false; she could see
that his objection was foundationless--stood on air; but she did not
see the path by which she might bring the doctor up to her
standing-point where he might see it too. It was as if she were at the
top of a mountain and he at the bottom; her eye commanded a full wide
view of the whole country, while his could see but a most imperfect
portion. But to bring him up to her, Faith k