"Yes; often, lately. And she said I had better ask you myself, if I wished it. She is perfectly willing. She thinks it would be good." "Faithie," said her father, "you make me feel, more than ever, how much I _ought_ to do for you!" "You ought to get well and strong, father--that is all!" replied Faith, with a quiver in her own voice. Mr. Gartney sighed. "I'm no more than a mere useless block of wood!" "We shall just have to set you up, and make an idol of you, then!" cried Faith, cheerily, with tears on her eyelashes, that she winked off. There had been a ring at the bell while they were speaking; and now Mrs. Gartney entered, followed by Dr. Gracie. "Well, Miss Faith," said the doctor, after the usual greetings, and a prolonged look at Mr. Gartney's flushed face, "what have you done to your father?" "I've been reading the paper," answered Faith, quietly, "and talking a little." "Mother!" said Mr. Gartney, catching his wife's hand, as she came round to find a seat near him, "are you really in the plot, too?" "I'm glad there is a plot," said the doctor, quickly, glancing round with a keen inquiry. "It's time!" "Wait till you hear it," said Mr. Gartney. "Are you in a hurry to lose your patient?" "Depends upon _how_!" replied the doctor, touching the truth in a jest. "This is how. Here's a little jade who has the conceit and audacity to propose to me to wind up my business (as if she understood the whole process!), and let my house, and go to my farm at Cross Corners. What do you think of that?" "I think it would be the most sensible thing you ever did in your life!" "Just exactly what Aunt Henderson said!" cried Faith, exultant. "Aunt Faith, too! The conspiracy thickens! How long has all this been discussing?" continued Mr. Gartney, fairly roused, and springing, despite the doctor's request, to a sitting position, throwing off, as he did so, the afghan Faith had laid over his feet. "There hasn't been much discussion," said Faith. "Only when I went out to Kinnicutt I got auntie to show me the house; and I asked her how she thought it would be if we were to do such a thing, and she said just what Dr. Gracie has said now. And, father, you _don't_ know how beautiful it is there!" "So you really want to go? and it isn't drumsticks?" queried the doctor, turning round to Faith. "Some drumsticks are very nice," said Faith. "Gartney!" said Dr. Gracie, "you'd better mind what this girl of yours says. She's worth attending to." The wedge had been entered, and Faith's hand had driven it.