Mr. Ferrand looked doubtful when appealed to, but he stood a little in awe of Doctor Douglass, and made no substantial objection. "You may find some valuable botanical specimens, and you should observe the difference in the soil and vegetable growths from those of our region," said he. "Doubtless our cousin knows how to combine amusement with instruction." "Doubtless 'our cousin' has too much sense to do anything of the kind," retorted the doctor. "Not one grain of instruction will you get this afternoon, my young friends, so don't expect it. Come, get your hats, and lose no time." "And don't hurry home," added Miss Hardy. "Tell Sarah to put up a lunch, Rhoda, and then you can stay as long as you like." Cohansey race is a place by itself. It is canal, so to speak, about a mile long and of various widths, leading through oak woods and shrubs to a pond large enough to be called a lake, and named, for some inscrutable reason, the Tumbling Dam. Various sentimental names have been applied by sentimental young girls to this pretty piece of water, but none of them ever stick. The Tumbling Dam it remains, and will remain to the end of time. Calla-like plants grow in the edges of the water, and hollies, scarlet honeysuckles, and magnolias adorn its banks. You might think yourself in the depth of a wilderness instead of within half a mile of great iron-works and mills. They were gone the whole afternoon, and came home tired and happy, Isa delighted with the possession of a very small turtle which the doctor had captured and given her for a pet. "Well, have you had dissipation enough?" asked Mr. Ferrand. "Not half enough," answered the doctor. "We are meditating even more. Miss Hardy, can you spare Miss Thurston for a couple of days? Because, if you can, I propose to take her and Isa up to town by the boat to-morrow, keep them two or three days, and show them the lions and bears of the Quaker City." "I can spare her, certainly," said Miss Hardy. "She ought to have a holiday before school begins." "I don't know about Isa," said Mr. Ferrand, doubtfully. "She has not touched the piano or opened a book for nearly a week. I think she should settle to some employment." "Go and put your turtle in water, Isa," commanded the doctor. "Give him something to crawl out upon, and he will do very well. "The fact is, Ferrand, I want to observe the girl," he added when Isa and Rhoda had left the room. "There is something radically wrong with her—very seriously wrong, I fear; but perhaps not. Anyhow, I want to observe her a little. As for lessons, you ought not to mention the word to her." Mr. Ferrand demurred a little still, but at last consented. The expedition was a brilliant affair. The weather was beautiful. The doctor carried them to the Park, Girard College, and other sights, and brought them home greatly delighted. "And what do you think of Isa's health?" said Mr. Ferrand when they were alone together.