"He never used to say anything about my--my liver," resumed Miss Patty, "when he called. He was practising then, too. It is painful to me to see such a change in a man like him. Now, in the old days, when he used to be here a great deal,--a _very_ great deal, Sally,--he was not at all like that." And Miss Patty sighed. Just then the maid came up to announce the Carlings. "An', Miss Patty," she continued significantly, "Charlie's in the kitchen." "Oh, is he? I'll come right down and get him." The maid withdrew. "The dear little boy!" said Miss Patty. "I suppose he's eating what he ought not to. I'd like to let him have anything he wants, but I know it wouldn't be good for him." She rose rather hastily, but paused with her hand on the door. "Of course, Sally," she said with a short little laugh, "you are not to think that I had any--Oh, here are the twins, Sally." Miss Patty fled and the Carlings entered. "H--h--hello, Sally," they cried. "H--h--how's your l--l--leg?" Sally laughed. "It's my foot, not my leg, and it doesn't hurt me at all, hardly." This appeared to upset the concerted programme of the twins. "B--but y--you s--s--said your l--l--leg hurt," objected Harry. "Well, so it did," Sally replied; "but it's my foot that's broken." "Your f--f--foot b--b--broken!" said Horry in astonishment. "H--h--how c--can a f--f--foot b--be b--b--broken? D--d--does it w--work ar--r--round?" "Not now, for it's all done up stiff in bandages." Horry was not allowed to pursue his inquiries, for the maid was at the door again, announcing Richard Torrington. Sally sat up straighter, and her cheeks were flushed and her eyes rather bright. The twins eyed her with suspicion. As they passed down the broad stairs Harry nudged Horry again. "S--S--S--al--l--ly's s--stuck on D--D--Dick," he whispered. "S--s--sing it," said Horry, chuckling. "W--w--won't d--do it," replied Harry indignantly. His indignation rose at every step. "Y--you r--r--rotten b--bum, y--you! W--w--wanted t--to m--m--make m--me m--m--make a f--f--" The front door banged behind the twins, and Sally heard no more. She had heard Harry's whispered remark and had glanced fearfully at Dick. He seemed unconscious, and a great joy surged in Sally's heart. The first morning that Sally came downstairs--on crutches--she managed her crutches unskillfully and fell half the flight. Uncle John and Cousin Patty, followed closely by Charlie, hurried to her. Uncle John was the most alarmed. He stooped and would have raised her head, but Sally saved him that trouble and smiled at him. "I'm not hurt one mite," she said. She was not. "Wasn't I lucky?" He gave a great sigh of relief. "I was afraid," he replied. "I'm thankful that you're not. Are you sure, Sally?" he asked anxiously. "Oh, yes, I'm sure." And, to convince him, Sally jumped up, nimbly, and hopped about on one foot.