; that would be _properest_; but Percy says
no--anything has got to 'come to pass' when it's _foreordinationed_!"

"And could thee really believe such foolishness, my sensible little
Susan? Does thee suppose the good Lord ever meant that we should read
his Bible as if it were a wicked dream-book?"

"Then you don't think I shall have to marry Freddy Jackson," cried Susy,
immensely relieved. "I'm so glad I told you! I felt so sober all day,
only nobody noticed it, and I was ashamed to tell!"

"It is a good thing for thee to tell thy little troubles to thy older
friends, Susan: thee'll almost always find it so," said grandma Read,
stroking Susy's hair.

"Now, my child, I have a piece of news for thee, if thee is ready to
hear it: thy cousin, Grace Clifford, has a little sister."

"A baby sister? A real sister? Does mother know it?"

"Yes, thy mother knows it."

"But how _could_ you keep it to yourself so long?"

"Thee thinks good news is hard to keep, does thee? Well, thee shall be
the first to tell thy father when he comes home."

Susy heard steps on the door-stone, and rushed out, with the joyful
story on her lips. It proved to be not her father, but callers, who were
just ringing the bell; and they heard Susy's exclamation,--

"O, have you heard? Grace has a new sister, a baby sister, as true as
you live!" with the most provoking coolness.

But when Mr. Parlin came, he was sufficiently interested in the news to
satisfy even Susy.

CHAPTER XII.

FAREWELL.

Prudy was really getting better. Mrs. Parlin said she should trust a
physician more next time. The doctor declared that all the severe pain
Prudy had suffered was really necessary.

"Believe me, my dear madam," said he, "when the poor child has
complained most, she has in fact been making most progress towards
health. When the sinews are 'knitting together,' as we call it, then the
agony is greatest."

This was very comforting to Mrs. Parlin, who thought she would not be
discouraged so easily again; she would always believe that it is
"darkest just before day."

There was really everything to hope for Prudy. The doctor thought that
by the end of three months she would walk as well as ever. He said she
might make the effort now, every day, to bear her weight on her feet.
She tried this experiment first with her father and mother on each side
to support her; but it was not many days before she could stand firmly
on her right foot, and bear a