William sighed. "The kings of England was a foolish prescription; yet I paid Willy $1.50 for that call. Still, I must say I think he is doing me good; but he recommends many expensive things--perhaps because he is young. He wished me to hire a vehicle and drive every day. Now just think of the expense of such a thing! I suggested to him that instead of hiring a conveyance, I would go out with him in his buggy whenever he calls. He is a very young man to treat an important case," William ended, sighing. Then he asked Lydia about her health, with an exactness which she thought very kind. "Yes, I'm always well; and _so_ sorry for the poor people who are sick," she said. "You are a good nurse, aren't you, Lydy?" he asked. "I'm always glad when I can do anything for a sick person. I'm so sorry for 'em," Miss Lydia said, kindly. "And you are economical, aren't you, Lydy?" Mr. Rives inquired, in his mild voice, "and not fond of dress?" "Bless you!" said Lydia, "how can I be anything but economical? And as for being fond of dress--I'm fond of my old dresses, William." "That is an excellent trait," said William Rives, solemnly. Then, catching sight of his own portrait--the slim, anæmic young person in a stock and tight-waisted coat, with very small feet and very large hat, he got up to look at it. "I--have changed a little," he said, doubtfully. "It's more becoming to be heavier," Miss Lydia said. And this remark gave him such obvious satisfaction that when he went away his perpetual smile had deepened into positive heartiness. It was after this talk that he finally added his offering to the "Present" which just then was occupying Old Chester's attention. "And how much do you suppose I got out of him?" Mrs. Barkley asked Dr. Lavendar. "_$1.50!_" However, other friends were more liberal, and by the end of May the $85 (grown now into the round sum of $100) was ready for Miss Lydia. A little silk bag, with a scrap of paper twisted about its ribbon drawing-string, was thrust one evening by an unknown hand into Miss Lydia's door. In it were twenty five-dollar gold pieces. "From old friends," Dr. Lavendar had written on the scrap of paper. "Sha'n't we say--'for repairs'?" Mrs. Barkley asked, doubtfully. "No," Dr. Lavendar declared; "I'd rather say 'to buy curl-papers.' Of course she'll use it for repairs; but we mustn't dictate."