Rowena lay on her bed looking out on the still blue and trying to recall the Hugh Macdonald she had once seen at her brother's table. It was long ago before he had married, and he was then a thin eager-faced youth, with stern features and a very decided will of his own. He had been abroad for a good many years since then. And his marriage had altered him, people said. She had a dim recollection of a walk round the loch after dinner; but she was quite a young girl at the time. He had not impressed her, except perhaps that he had been too old in his ideas her then. "If he doesn't own that child, he ought to be ashamed of himself!" she muttered, and then a sudden restless fit took possession of her. "I am like a mummy. I cannot stay indoors longer. It is breathless to-day. I will write to Noddy and demand release." She wrote; and by return received 'the usual kind letter from the old doctor, saying that he had written to a local practitioner and had asked him to call and see her and give her his advice. The very next day the doctor appeared. He was a young man and arrived in his car, for he lived about fifteen miles away from her. Rowena felt impatient as he put her through a regular catechism as to the beginning of the trouble. "I have been pulled about by all the specialists in town," she said. "I was not going to give up my freedom without a struggle; but they one and all said the same thing—that I must lie on my back for at least a year. I am not rebellious about that; but I can lie on my back out-of-doors as well as indoors, and I am an out-of-door sort of person." "There is not the slightest reason why you should not do it," the young doctor said decidedly; "didn't you say you had an invalid chair? Let me look at it." "Mrs. Mactavish will show it to you." He went out and was some time inspecting it. Then he came in. "Your chair can be adapted easily to your needs. I know a clever young carpenter, and I'll send him over to tinker it up, and lower the back, till you can lie flat upon it; then you can be out all day." "I want to vary my life, and sometimes lie out in the boat," said Rowena. "Can you manage that for me?" "Easily. You must have a flat-bottomed punt and a mattress. Have you anyone who can carry you? We want to prevent the jar to your spine that would be the result of your putting your feet to the ground." "I have two men who will manage that. Well—you have given me new life! I am very grateful." Young George Sturt looked at her with a smile. "I should say you enjoy every moment of your existence," he said, "from your looks." "My looks are deceptive," Rowena assured him. "I am eaten up at times with an overwhelming envy for every one who can get about on his two legs. And I rage at my fate, and make myself furiously disagreeable to all who come my way." He laughed, gave her a little sound advice and took his departure. Rowena seized hold of Shags and hugged him.