One afternoon, which Jane was obliged to devote to plain sewing, she was sitting alone in the study when there came a hard short thump at it, which was Dobbs's way of making known her presence there. "Come in!" Dobbs came in and sat herself down opposite Jane. It was summer weather, and the August dust blew in at the open window. "I want to know what's the matter with Janey," began she, without circumlocution. "With Janey?" repeated Mrs. Halliburton. "What should be the matter with her? I know of nothing." "Of course not," sarcastically answered Dobbs. "Eyes appear to be given to some folks only to blind 'em--more's the pity! You can't see it; my missis can't see it; but I say that the child is ill." "Oh, Dobbs! I think you must be mistaken." "Now I'd thank you to be civil, if you please, Mrs. Halliburton," retorted Dobbs. "You don't take me for a common servant, I hope. Who's 'Dobbs'?" "I had no wish to be uncivil," said Jane. "I am so accustomed to hearing Mrs. Reece call you Dobbs, that----" "My missis is one case, and other folks is another," burst forth Dobbs, by way of interruption. "I have a handle to my name, I hope, which is Mrs. Dobbs, and I'd be obleeged to you not to forget it again. What's the reason that Janey's always tired now, I ask--don't want to stir--gets a bright pink in the cheeks and inside the hands?" "It is only the effect of the hot weather." The opinion did not please Dobbs. "There's not a earthly thing happens but it's laid to the weather," she angrily cried. "The weather, indeed! If Janey is not going off after her pa, it's an odd thing to me." Jane's heart-pulse stood still. "Does she have night-perspirations, or does she not?" demanded Dobbs. "She tells me she's hot and damp; so I conclude it is so." "Only from the heat--only from the heat," panted Jane eagerly. She dared not admit the fear. "Well, the first time I go down to the town, I shall take her to Parry. It won't be at your cost," she hastened to add in ungracious tones, for Jane was about to interrupt. "If she wants to know what she is took to the doctor for, I shall tell her it is to have her teeth looked at. She has a nasty cough upon her: perhaps you haven't noticed that! Some can't see a child decaying under their very nose, while strangers can see it palpable." "She has coughed since last week, the day of the rain, when she went with Anna Lynn into the field at the back, and they got their feet wet. Oh, I am sure there is nothing seriously the matter with her," added Jane, resolutely endeavouring to put the suggested fear from her. "I want her in: she must help me with my sewing."