ou sent for us, Mr. Rockharrt. We are all here, and we hope that you
are much better," she said.

"Oh, you do! Stand there--all three of you at the foot of the bed, so
that I can see you without turning."

The three women obeyed, placing themselves in line as he had directed,
and perceived that he lay upon the flat of his back, looking straight
before him, because he could not turn on either side without great pain.

He scanned them and then said:

"Ah, Violet, you are there! You have a proper sense of duty, my girl. So
you have come to see how it is with me yourself, eh?"

"Yes, father; and also to stay and help to nurse you, it I may be
permitted to do so."

"Rubbish! My wife can nurse me. It is her place. I don't want a lot of
other women around me! I won't have more than one in the room with me at
a time! Violet, get into your carriage and return to your home."

"Oh, papa, how have I offended you?"

"Not in any way as yet; but you will offend me if you disobey me. You
must go home at once. You are not in a condition to be of any service
here. You would only injure your own health, and distract the attention
of these women from me. Wherever there is a lot of women, there is sure
to be more talk than duty. So you must go. When I get well, and you get
strong again, you may come and stay as long as you like. So, now, bid me
good-by and be off with yourself."

Violet, feeling much chagrined, went around to the side of the bed, took
the hand of her father-in-law, bent over and kissed him good-by.

"Now, Cora, take her out and see her off."

Violet took leave of her young mother-in-law, and followed Cora from the
sick room.

"Now, Rose, close all the shutters; darken the room and sit beside the
head of my bed. Don't speak until you are spoken to; don't move; don't
even read; but sit still, silent, attentive, while I try to rest."

Rose obeyed all his orders, and then sat like a dead woman, back in the
resting chair beside him. She had noted how weak and husky his voice had
been in giving his instructions to his "womankind," with what pain and
effort he had spoken, while his strong will bore him through the
interview, which, short as it was, had left him prostrate and exhausted.

Rose wished to offer him the cordial the doctor had left, but he had
ordered her not to move or speak until she was spoken to, and Rose dared
not disobey. She did not know what might be the result of her passive
obedience to him, no