tand their little
sister that night--her cold was worse, but that fact Primrose
accounted for by Jasmine's imprudence in taking her out; but what
neither she nor Jasmine could understand was Daisy's great
nervousness--her shrinking fear of being left for a moment by herself,
and the worried and anxious look which had settled down on her usually
quiet little face. Primrose determined to do what she had never done
yet since they had come to London--she would commit the unheard-of
extravagance of calling in a doctor.

"I think Daisy is very feverish," she said to Jasmine; "only that it
seems impossible, I would say she has got some kind of shock, and was
trying to conceal something. You are quite sure that you locked the
door when you left her alone here this afternoon, Jasmine?"

"Oh, yes," answered Jasmine, "and I found it locked all right when I
came back. I was rather longer away than I meant to be, for I did such
a venturesome thing, Primrose--I took my 'Ode to Adversity' to the
Editor of _The Downfall_. I saw him, too--he was a red-faced man, with
such a loud voice, and he didn't seem at all melancholy--he said he
would look at the poem, but he wasn't _very_ encouraging. I told him
what Mrs. Dove said about his readers liking tearful things, and he
gave quite a rude laugh; however, I shouldn't be surprised if the poem
was taken; if it fails in that quarter, I must only try one of the
very best magazines. Oh, what was I saying about Daisy? I think she
was asleep when I came back--she was lying very quiet, only her cheeks
were rather flushed. Of course, Primrose, nothing happened to our
little Daisy; if there did, she would tell us."

"I will send for the doctor, at any rate," said Primrose; "I don't
like her look. I will send for the doctor, and--and--"

But Primrose's brave voice broke, and she turned her face away.

Jasmine ran up to her, and put her arms round her neck.

"What is it, Rose darling?--are you really troubled about Daisy? or
are you thinking of the expense? I wonder what a London doctor will
charge? Have you got any money to pay him, Primrose?"

"I've got Mr. Danesfield's money," said Primrose; "I have always kept
it for an emergency. I had hoped never to need it, but if the real
emergency comes it is right to spend it. Yes, Jasmine, I can pay the
doctor and you had better go down and ask the Doves the name of one,
for I don't know a single doctor in London."

"Yes," said Jasmine, "I'll run do