Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. [Illustration: Letitia stood looking in blank dismay, not offering to help.] _Little Eyebright_ AND HER PUND O' CARE BY AGNES GIBERNE AUTHOR OF "THE EARLS OF THE VILLAGE," "IDA'S SECRET," "LIFE TANGLES," "FLOSS SILVERTHORN," ETC. New Edition John F. Shaw & Co., Ltd. Publishers 3, Pilgrim Street, London, E.C. [Illustration] CONTENTS CHAP. I. EUPHRASIA'S HOME II. EUPHRASIA'S PLANS III. SOME CAUSE FOR CARE IV. FOR ONE'S GOOD V. THE JOHNSTON FAMILY VI. EUPHRASIA'S FRIEND VII. FRIENDS _AND_ FRIENDS VIII. A STEP IN THE DARK IX. A PRISONER X. HOW MUCH LONGER? XI. NEVER SENT! XII. GENUINE! XIII. NOT CAST DOWN XIV. SOMETHING WRONG XV. "WILL YOU—?" XVI. HOW "CARE" MAY BE CARRIED [Illustration] LITTLE EYEBRIGHT AND HER PUND O' CARE ——————— CHAPTER I EUPHRASIA'S HOME "I DON'T know, I'm sure, Mrs. Landor. I suppose you're right, of course. People never ought to fret, of course. Mr. Landor would say just the same if he were preaching. I suppose everybody ought always to feel sure that everything is always exactly right." An odd expression crossed the other's face. "Oh, I know it is quite wrong ever to let one's self get worried. But then, you see, it always was my way to be easily upset. Some people are made like that; don't you think so? And other people are made quite different. I don't see, for my part, how one is to help how one was made. When things go wrong, I always do get low-spirited. It is very foolish, perhaps, but then it is my way. I have been harassed half out of my senses the last week. As fast as ever one trouble clears off, another comes in its place. That is what I find," sighed Mrs. Mackenzie. "There's no sort of peace or rest in life,—nothing but worry!" "Isn't it a comfort that one trouble does clear away before another comes?" asked her caller. "Oh well, when it does. But sometimes everything seems to come together, all in a heap. I am sure, last winter I didn't know where to turn or what to do, with the influenza and all! And most likely it will be just as bad next winter. The influenza is certain to come again." "Nay! Why certain?" "Oh, they say it will; people all say so. And if my husband gets it a fourth time, I don't believe he will pull through. I don't, indeed! He has never been the same man since those three attacks, one on the top of another. He isn't fit for his work, and everybody says so, but if he stops, how in the world are we to pay our way?"