Polly understood the “situation” perfectly, and it was with actual curiosity in her tone she asked, “Do you mean to go, sir?” “I suppose we must, dear,” he said, with a deep sigh. “A professional man is no more the arbiter of his social hours than of his business ones. Cooper always said dining at home costs a thousand a year.” “So much, papa?” asked she, with much semblance of innocence. “I don't mean to myself,” said he, reddening, “nor to any physician in country practice; but we all lose by it, more or less.” Polly, meanwhile, had taken the letter, and was reading it over. It was very brief. It had been originally begun, “Lady Cobham presents,” but a pen was run through the words, and it ran,-- “Dear Dr. Dill,--If a short notice will not inconvenience you, will you and your daughter dine here to-day at seven? There is no moon, and we shall expect you to stay the night. “Truly yours, “Georgiana Cobham. “The Admiral hopes Miss D. will not forget to bring her music.” “Then we go, sir?” asked she, with eagerness; for it was a house to which she had never yet been invited, though she had long wished for the entrée. “I shall go, certainly,” said he. “As to you, there will be the old discussion with your mother as to clothes, and the usual declaration that you have really nothing to put on.” “Oh! but I have, papa. My wonderful-worked muslin, that was to have astonished the world at the race ball, but which arrived too late, is now quite ready to captivate all beholders; and I have just learned that new song, 'Where's the slave so lowly?' which I mean to give with a most rebellious fervor; and, in fact, I am dying to assault this same fortress of Cobham, and see what it is like inside the citadel.” “Pretty much like Woodstay, and the Grove, and Mount Kelly, and the other places we go to,” said Dill, pompously. “The same sort of rooms, the same sort of dinner, the same company; nothing different but the liveries.” “Very true, papa; but there is always an interest in seeing how people behave in their own house, whom you have never seen except in strangers'. I have met Lady Cobham at the Beachers', where she scarcely noticed me. I am curious to see what sort of reception she will vouchsafe me at home.” “Well, go and look after your things, for we have eight miles to drive, and Billy has already been at Dangan and over to Mooney's Mills, and he 's not the fresher for it.” “I suppose I 'd better take my hat and habit, papa?” “What for, child?” “Just as you always carry your lancets, papa,--you don't know what may turn up.” And she was off before he could answer her. CHAPTER VII. TOM DILL'S FIRST PATIENT