"How I wish you could come here to school!" said Rhoda, a good deal alarmed by what she had seen, but thinking it better to take no notice, as Isa seemed unconscious of anything unusual. "The girls do have such good times." "What do they do? Tell me all about it," said Isa. "And may I lie down on the bed? Oh, you don't know how good it seems to be doing nothing," she continued, sinking down, and turning her face toward Rhoda. "You won't mind if I go to sleep, will you? I am so tired and heavy." "No. Go to sleep, there's a dear," answered Rhoda. "I will cover you up, and then I must just run down and see to setting the table and tell Sarah to make a sweet omelet for desert. I want your father to have a nice dinner, such as he likes." Rhoda betook herself to the dining-room, and busied herself with the arrangements of the table. She was presently joined by Mrs. Ferrand. "Useful and handy as ever, I see," was her comment. "Where is Isa?" "She is asleep on my bed," answered Rhoda. "She seems very tired, and I thought she would enjoy her dinner all the more for a nap." "She is tired, poor child! Rhoda, how does she strike you?" "I think she looks thin and worn—more so than usual." "Do you see any other alteration—anything odd about her? Do tell me," added Mrs. Ferrand, as Rhoda hesitated. "I thought there was something odd about Isa before I left Milby," answered Rhoda. "She seems to have times of forgetfulness almost as if she lost herself for a minute." "That is it, exactly. I can't make Mr. Ferrand see it. He says she is listless and absent-minded, and that her hesitation in speaking is only a trick such as girls are always catching. But I can't think so; I wish I could. I don't know what it is I fear, but I am afraid." "I think Isa would be the better for a change," remarked Rhoda. "I wish she could come here." "And so do I, but I fear her father would never consent. You look very well, Rhoda." "I am well; I never was better. Mrs. Ferrand, you don't know how often I thank you for introducing me to your sister.' "Not at all, child. It is we who should thank you. Harriet says you have been everything to her since she has been laid up. But about Isa. I wish you would watch her carefully and tell me what you think of her. I do hope Doctor Douglass will come down." Dr. Douglass came down next day, as he announced, for a three days' holiday, and made himself very agreeable, especially to the girls. The second day of his stay, Dr. Elsmore proposed to carry Mr. Ferrand to see certain lately opened marl-beds in which various interesting animal remains had been discovered. Dr. Douglass was invited to join the party, but declined: "I am going to carry off these girls for a row up the race to the Tumbling Dam pond, and show them the scenes of my innocent childhood, where I used to ensnare the agile turtle and hunt the pensive and melodious frog. Put on your oldest frocks, young women, and also your rubbers."