When she reached home, she was received at the door by her father who had been watching for her, and learned all he had to tell her. Aunt Ann spoke to her as if she had but the minute before left the room, vouchsafing not a single remark concerning Walter, and yielding her a position of service as narrow as she could contrive to make it. Molly did everything she desired without complaint, fetching and carrying for her as usual. She received no recognition from the half-unconscious Walter. If it had not been that Aunt Ann must, like other nurses, have rest, Molly’s ministering soul would have been sorely pinched and hampered; but when her aunt retired, she could do her part for the patient’s peace. In a few days he had come to himself enough to know who were about him, and seemed to manifest a preference for Molly’s nursing. To Aunt Ann this seemed very hard--and hard it would have been, but that, through all her kindness, Walter could not help foreseeing how she would treat him in the health to which she was doing her best to bring him back. He sorely dreaded the time when, strong enough to be tormented, but not able to lock his door against her, he would be at her mercy. But he cherished a hope that his father would interfere. If necessary he would appeal to him, and beg him to depose Aunt Ann, and put sweet Molly in her stead! One morning--Molly had been sitting up the night with the invalid--she found Aunt Ann alone at the breakfast-table. “His father is with him now,” said Molly. “I think he is a little better; he slept more quietly.” “He’ll do well enough!” grunted Aunt Ann. “There’s no fear of _him_! he’s not of the sort to die early! This is what comes of letting young people have their own way! My brother will be wiser now! and so, I hope, will Walter! It shall not be my fault if he’s not made to understand! Old or young wouldn’t listen to me! Now perhaps, while they are smarting from the rod, it may be of use to speak!” “Aunt,” said Molly, with her heart in her throat, but determined, “please do not say anything to him for a long time yet; you might make him ill again! You do not know how he hates being talked at!” “Don’t you be afraid! I won’t talk _at_ him! He shall be well talked _to_, and straight!” “He won’t stand it any more, auntie! He’s a man now, you know! And when a mere boy, he used to complain that you were always finding fault with him!” “Highty, tighty! What next! The gentleman has the choice, has he, when to be found fault with, and when not!” “I give you fair warning,” said Molly, hurriedly, “that I will do what I can to prevent you!” Aunt Ann was indignant. “You dare to tell me, in my own”--she was going to say _house_, but corrected herself--“in my own home, where you live on the charity of--” Molly interrupted her.