"Why I would do it, mother," said Faith. She went off, however, into the other room and sat down gravely, quite the other side of the fireplace from the tea-table. Dr. Harrison was standing on the rug with his back to the fire, and followed her with his eye. "How do you do?" he said in a softened voice, stepping a step nearer to her. She looked up and gave him a frank and kind "very well!" Was it altogether professional, the way in which he took up her hand and held it an instant? "Cool, and quiet," he said. "It's all right. I didn't frighten you out of your wits yesterday?" The "no, sir," was in a different tone. "Do you suppose," he said, "that your mother will ever bear the sight of me again?" "Why I hope so, sir," said Faith smiling. "I don't know!" he said. "I wonder if I have been so much more wicked than I knew of? I don't think I have. I couldn't have punished myself any more." Mrs. Derrick came in, followed by teapot and muffins, and having with her usual politeness requested the doctor to take a seat at the table, she proceeded to pour him out a cup of tea, nor even stinted him in sugar. "If I stay at home according to your orders," said Mr. Linden, "I shall have all the trustees after me." "You aren't just the person they ought to be after," said the doctor. "Mrs. Derrick, I don't know why we never have anything at our house so good as this." The doctor was discussing a buttered muffin with satisfaction that was evidently unfeigned. Mrs. Derrick knew why--but she wouldn't tell him, though exulting in her own knowledge. A low knock at the parlour door announced Reuben Taylor. "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Derrick--" he said,--"but I went"-- "I am here, Reuben," said Mr. Linden. The boy stayed not for more compliments then, but passing the ladies and the doctor with a collective bow, and "good evening, Miss Faith," went round with a quick step and a glad face to Mr. Linden. And kneeling down by him, with one hand on his shoulder, gave him the post despatches, and asked and answered questions not very loud but very earnestly. That was a phasis of Reuben Dr. Harrison had not seen before. He took good and broad note of it, though nothing interrupted the doctor's muffin--or muffins, for they were plural. Neither did he interrupt anything that was going on.