"Yes, I feel deeply for her as well as for him. We will pray for them both, asking that if it be consistent with the will of God, he may be speedily restored to perfect health and strength." "Yes, papa; what a comfort it is that we may cast upon the Lord all our care for ourselves and others!" "It is indeed! I have found it so in many a sore trial sent to myself or to some one dear to me. I am glad for Maud that she has her brothers with her now." "I too, papa, and I suppose Chester will stay with her to-day." "Most likely; and my daughter must not feel hurt should he not show himself here at his usual early hour, or even at all to-day." "I'll try not, papa. I am sure it would be very selfish in me to grudge poor dear Maud any show of sympathy or any comfort she might receive from him--her own dear eldest brother." "Yes, so I think," said her father, "and I should not expect it of any one of my daughters." Chester came at length, some hours later than his wont, and looking grave and troubled. In answer to inquiries, "Yes, poor Dick is certainly badly hurt," he said, "and Maud well-nigh distracted with grief and anxiety. She is a most devoted wife and considers him her all." "But the case is not thought to be hopeless?" Mr. Dinsmore said inquiringly. "No, not exactly that, but the doctors are not yet able to decide just what the internal injury may be." "And while there is life there is hope," said Grandma Elsie in determinately cheerful tones. "It is certainly in his favor that he is a strong, healthy man, in the prime of life." "And still more that he is a Christian man; therefore ready for any event," added her father. "And so loved and useful a man that we may well unite in prayer for his recovery, if consistent with the will of God," said Captain Raymond. "And so we will," said Cousin Ronald. "I feel assured that no one of us will refuse or neglect the performance of that duty." "And we can plead the promise, 'If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven,'" said Mrs. Dinsmore. "So I have strong hope that dear Dick will be spared to us. He is certainly a much loved and very useful man." "And Maud must be relieved as far as possible from other cares," remarked Mrs. Travilla. "I shall at once invite my brother and his family here. There is room enough, especially as my two sons are there and will be nearly, if not all, the time while Dick is so ill." "No, cousin," said Chester, "thank you very much, but Cousin Sue is making herself very useful and could not well be spared. She has undertaken the housekeeping, leaving Maud to devote herself entirely to Dick." "Oh, that is good and kind in her," was the quick response from several voices.