the shadows
lengthened in the corners of the cabin, Bee was obliged to summon all
her fortitude to face the prospect of a night alone with a very sick
woman.

Meantime Adele had hurried to the house as fast as she could go.

"I'll tell Uncle William all about it," she decided, going at once in
search of him. "He will know better what to do than Bee does."

But no Uncle William was to be found. Aunt Fanny thought he had gone for
a walk; so, hot and tired, and somewhat upset by the episode of the
afternoon, Adele went up to her cool chamber and threw herself on the
bed.

"I'm not going down to that old hut and carry a lot of things," she said
aloud peevishly. "Bee ought not to have gone in that place anyway. Mamma
wouldn't want me to mix up in such things, I know. So there!"

Arranging the pillows more to her taste she settled herself comfortably
among them. She was tired, and presently a delicious drowsiness stole
over her, and soon she was fast asleep.

"Kum down ter dinnah, child," Aunt Fanny roused her by saying. "I'se
called, an' called, an' yer didn't answah; so I kum up. Whar's Miss Bee?
You-all's kept dinnah waitin' twel hit am plum dahk. Whar'd you say Miss
Bee was?"

"I don't--" Adele looked about her dreamily. "Oh!" as remembrance came
to her. She sprang up in a hurry. "Yes; I do. Is Uncle William here?"

"Yes'm; he's heah." Aunt Fanny was plainly provoked that dinner had been
kept waiting. "He's heah, but he won't set down twel you gals is dere."

For a wonder Adele did not stop to rearrange her hair, but ran down as
she was.

"Where is Beatrice?" asked Doctor Raymond, a slight expression of
surprise showing itself in his glance. His niece did not usually appear
in such a disordered condition. "Aunt Fanny could not find her, and
said that you were fast asleep in your room. What have you been doing?"

"We went to Rachel's," replied Adele, "and, and--"

"Yes?" remarked he questioningly.

"And she has the small pox. Or, at least," correcting herself hastily,
"there was the sign of small pox on the door."

"Is that true, Adele?" Doctor Raymond looked at her searchingly. "Or is
that an excuse invented for not going in?"

"It is the truth, Uncle William; but Bee did go in."

"What?" cried Doctor Raymond, springing to his feet. "Do you mean to
tell me that, seeing that sign there, you still went in?"

"I didn't, uncle. Bee did. She said that you didn't want to see us again
until we could tell yo