rs.
Stoutenburgh. "You needn't think I shall forget it--whenever I want
Faith to come and see me I shall tell Mr. Linden to bring her. He's
safe--or supposed to be," she added laughingly.

"I hope that's as near to it as I shall ever come on purpose, or
_otherwise_, Mrs. Stoutenburgh!" said the doctor. "I think you should
judge me safer than Mr. Linden,--as appearances go."

"Squire Deacon used to tell very hard stories of him when he first
came," said the lady--"and I _have_ heard a report or two since. I do
love to talk to him about it!--he always looks so grave, I think he
likes it."

The laugh was mutual, whether the delight was or no.

"Who is Squire Deacon?" said the doctor. "I should like to make his
acquaintance."

Faith took off her bonnet, and then pulled off her gloves,
deliberately, and bestowed them on the table.

"O he's a Pattaquasseter," said Mrs. Stoutenburgh--"haven't you seen
his sister? She admires you--more than I think she need," she added
mischievously. "But the Squire's been away for awhile,--he just got
home this afternoon."

Faith had recourse to the fire. The doctor came round, took the tongs
from her and did the work; after which he took a somewhat succinct
leave of the assembly.

"By the way, Linden," he said pausing by his chair a moment,--"I expect
to be in Quilipeak for a few days--I am very sorry, but I must. You
won't want me, I think. Limbre can do all that is necessary. I shall
see you Monday or Tuesday again."

"Doctor!" said Mrs. Stoutenburgh--"I want you to take me home. Mr.
Stoutenburgh always makes such a fuss if I'm out after dark and don't
bring anybody home to tea, that I never dare do it."

"Will you trust yourself with me, Mrs. Stoutenburgh?" said the doctor
standing in comical doubt.

"Just wait a minute," said Mrs. Stoutenburgh, as she went round with
her pretty, free, womanly manner, and laid her hand on Mr. Linden's
forehead and hands, just as if he had been one of her own boys. "I tell
you what--I don't think you cure him up half fast enough among you. If
I had him up at my house I'd take better care of him."

"No, Mrs. Stoutenburgh, even you could not do that," he said looking up
at her. She stood still a moment.

"You shouldn't look at me so," she said,--"I shall go home and feel
real bad for all the nonsense I've been talking. You know," she added,
with the mischievous look coming back, "I never did believe one word of
it--except--" and the sentence