t that be the better plan, mother?"

"I think so," she said, taking out her watch, as she spoke. "Ah! it
wants but five minutes of the dinner hour. I must go at once to my rooms
and make ready for the summons to the table."

It was not thought worth while to make Mrs. Croly's request a secret
from any member of the family, so the matter was talked over among them
as they sat together on the veranda that evening, and the different
boarding places in the vicinity were considered. It was feared none of
them could furnish quite such accommodations as might be desired without
placing the invalid farther from her physician than would be convenient
for the constant oversight of the case which they supposed he would want
to exercise.

"Well, evidently," remarked Herbert at length, "we will have to refer
the question to Cousin Arthur himself. And here he comes, most
opportunely," as a horseman turned in at the avenue gates.

He was greeted with warmth of cordiality and speedily installed in a
luxuriously easy chair.

"I was passing," he said, "and though I don't like to be long away from
my wife and boy, I felt an irresistible inclination to give my Ion
relatives and friends a brief call."

"And omitting that ugly word brief, it is just exactly what we are all
delighted to receive," laughed Zoe.

"Yes," said Mr. Dinsmore, "we were talking of you and wanting your
opinion on a certain matter under discussion."

"Ah, what was that?" Arthur asked in return, and Mr. Dinsmore went on to
explain, telling of the desire of Mrs. Croly to put herself under his
care for at least a time, and asking his opinion of the various boarding
places in the vicinity.

"Boarding places!" he exclaimed. "We would be only too glad to receive
her as a guest at Roselands; for as you all know I feel under great
obligation to Mr. Croly, her husband; besides, it would make it much
easier for me to take charge of her case. Poor dear woman! I hope she
may be at least partially, if not entirely, restored to health."

"That proposal is just what one might expect of you, Cousin Arthur,"
said Grandma Elsie, giving him a look of affectionate appreciation; "but
are you quite sure it would suit Cal's convenience, and that of your
wife and his?"

"Knowing all three as I do, I can scarcely doubt it," replied Arthur;
"but perhaps I would better consult them before sending the invitation
to the Crolys. I will do so, and you shall hear from me early to-morrow