Lady Isobel stooping to kiss the
eager radiant face. 'I don't know who has enjoyed the time most, you
or I!'

The anticipation of another such treat sent Bobby home in smiling
content, but it was some time before he saw Lady Isobel again, for a
few days afterwards he was laid up with a mild attack of measles.

His grandmother and nurse were at first much concerned about him, then
when the little invalid began to recover they regained their usual
stolid composure. It was a very new experience to Bobby; at first he
could not understand it, and thought he was going to die; then he
declared that Nobbles felt much worse than he did, and the doctor must
see him. The doctor, a grey-haired old man, humoured him, assured him
that Nobbles must certainly lie in bed with him and be dosed, whereupon
Bobby's smile shone out and he murmured:

'Nobbles and me is both very ill indeed.'

'Nurse,' he said, 'if I die, shall I go to heaven? I can't if I
haven't a white robe. Do tell me how I can get it.'

'You're not going to die, Master Bobby; you're getting well fast.'

'I'm mis'rable and very ill,' said Bobby in an injured tone. 'Nobbles
and me both is, and I want to see my lady!'

This cry was continually upon his lips, and at last one afternoon nurse
opened the door and ushered in Lady Isobel.

'I am sure it is very good of you, my lady, to come to him; he is
getting a bit fretful now that he's better.'

Bobby held out his arms with an eager cry to the first grown-up person
who had shown a liking for him. Certainly his Uncle Mortimer had been
interested in him, but he had never kissed him or petted him.

'You aren't afraid you'll catch the measles?' he asked as Lady Isobel
kissed his little up-turned face.

'Not a bit afraid,' she said cheerily; 'and I think the doctor would
say you were past the infectious stage now. Has the time seemed dull
and long?'

'N-o-o,' replied Bobby slowly. 'I like my beef-tea and jelly, and so
does Nobbles; but I'm tired of looking at my picsher-books, and I want
to see those lovely picshers in the beautiful Bible downstairs. Could
you fetch it for me to look at?'

Lady Isobel hesitated, and turned to Nurse.

'He's been on so for those pictures,' she said, 'that I think I'll
venture to go and ask the mistress now.'

Nurse left the room and soon returned with the treasured book.

'His grandmother says he can look at it with you, and then I must put
it back again, as it's a valu