"I don't think so," said Arthur. "They're all about hunting and fighting, and such things." "Oh, my!" said Rob, "don't you like that? That's just what I like. I'll read some of 'em to you. I bet you'd like them." And when Rob read them to him, Arthur really did like them. He could not help sharing Rob's enthusiasm; but when Rob exclaimed:--"Oh, Arthur, don't you wish you could go to the Himalayas?" poor Arthur only shuddered, and said:-- "No, indeed! it shakes you so awfully to go in the cars." Rob did not ask him again; but he told Nelly at night what Arthur had said, and he added:-- "Say, Nell, if I should ever get to be like Arthur, I'd take poison." "Why, Rob!" cried Nelly, "that's awfully wicked! You wouldn't ever dare to!" And Nelly turned pale with fright. "I expect it is," said Rob; "but I reckon I'd do it! Why, Nell, I'd just have to!" Mrs. Cook sat with the children hours at a time, and listened to their talk and play. She and her husband took a drive or a ride every afternoon; but the rest of the time she did not leave Arthur. The more she saw the influence of Rob and Nelly upon him, the more grateful she felt for the strange chance which had brought them together. Arthur was really growing better. He had more color, more appetite, and very seldom complained of pain. He had something to think of beside himself; and he was happy,--the two best medicines in all the world: they will cure more diseases than people dream. One day, Flora said to Mrs. Cook:-- "I suppose, ma'am, ye'll be going soon. There was quite a frost in the north o' the valley last night, Thomas was telling me. They say there'll be snow here before long." "Yes, Flora, I suppose we will have to go very soon: week after next, Mr. Cook thinks," replied Mrs. Cook. Arthur was lying back in his chair, with his eyes shut. They thought he was asleep; but at the sound of these words he opened his eyes, and cried out:-- "I won't go away, mamma! I won't go! You can't make me. I'm not going away ever. I'm going to stay here." "Why, Arthur dear!" said his mother, "you wouldn't like to stay here without papa and without me; and you know papa must go home." "Yes, I would!" cried Arthur: "I've been thinking about it for ever so long. Flora can stay: she can dress and undress me; and I can live in Mrs. March's house, and sleep in Rob's bed. I asked Nelly, and she said I could. Rob can sleep on the lounge. I shan't go home. I hate New York; and if you take me back there I'll get sicker and sicker, and die; and I don't care if I do, if I can't stay here!"