"I am extremely sorry," said Mrs. Linchmore, drawing Alice away. "I trust, I hope it is not infectious?" "I very much fear it is, at least, Mr. Blane thinks the sore throat is, and advises the children, by all means, being kept apart." "They must go away, shall go away the very first thing to-morrow morning. It is as well to be on the safe side. Don't you think so, Robert?" said Mrs. Linchmore. "Decidedly. They can go into the village for the time or to Grant's cottage." "There are cases of the same fever in the village," said Amy. "Then they must go away altogether," said Mrs. Linchmore, hurriedly. "We must send them to Standale." "I am so sorry for Bertie, he'll have such lots of nasty medicine," said Fanny; "but won't it be nice to be without Miss Barker?" "Be silent, child!" said her mother, "Miss Barker will of course go with you." "Oh! how horrid!" returned Fanny. Even Mrs. Linchmore's frown could not prevent her from saying that. Amy passed out again even as she had come, almost brushing Frances' dress, but without looking at her, although, had she raised her eyes, she must have been struck with the whiteness of her face, which equalled, if not exceeded, her own. "Master has been here, Ma'am," said Hannah, as Amy returned, "and bid me tell you he had gone to fetch Dr. Bernard." Again Amy sat by her boy watching and waiting. What else was there to be done? He still slept--slept uneasily, troubled with that short, dry cough. Later on in the evening, when Dr. Bernard--whose mild hopeful face and kind cheering voice inspiring her poor heart with courage,--had been, and when the hours were creeping on into night a knock sounded at the door. "Miss Strickland is outside, Ma'am, and wants to come in. Shall I let her?" asked Hannah. Amy went out and closed the door behind her, and looked with unmoved eyes on Frances' flushed and anxious face. "How is he? May I go in?" she asked, eagerly. "Never, with my permission," was the chilling reply. "Only for five minutes; I am not afraid of the fever, and my looking at him can do him no harm. I will promise not to stay longer than that." "No. You shall not go in for half a minute, even." "You cannot be so cruel," said Frances; "you cannot tell how frightened and anxious I am. Oh! do let me see him." "I will not," said Amy, angrily. "Cruel, hard-hearted mother," cried Frances. "I know he has asked for me. I know he has called for me!" "I thank God he has not," replied Amy, "for _that_ would break my heart." "Then he will ask for me; and if he does, you will send for me, won't you?" "Never!" said Amy, as she turned away. "Oh! Mrs. Vavasour, I love the boy; don't you see that my heart is breaking while you stand there so pitilessly."