"Do you think she ought to go, Cyril?" "Certainly. Let her put on her mother's mantle as soon as she likes. I agree with her that we shall find Margaret, and find her disabled." Very early the next morning Frank received this dispatch: "Margaret is living, but insensible." "Ah, what different news this would be if mamma were alive to hear it!" said Laura. "What a tantalizing telegram! They do not say whether her case is alarming or not." A little later in the day came another dispatch: "Cyril will join you at Greylock. I cannot leave Margaret. BELLA HEATH." "Belle not at mamma's funeral!" cried Laura, in dismay. "How dreadful! Poor Belle! But she is right; and yet, why could not I go to Margaret and release her? Oh, it would not do to leave Harry. We need another sister." "Let me go," said Fred's wife. "Belle ought to be at the funeral, and she must." "Do, Hatty. If Margaret is insensible it cannot matter who takes care of her, if it is only one of the family." There was no time to lose, and Fred and Hatty hurried off. Fred had only time to land, find the fisherman's cottage where Margaret lay, and almost force Belle away, leaving his wife in her place. "It was very, very kind in Hatty," Belle said, as the steamer pushed off. "I will relieve her as soon as possible. How often it happens that the tide of grief is partially stayed by a rush of care. I have been so absorbed in Margaret that I have hardly had time to think of myself." "Can she be made comfortable in that little cottage?" "They are very kind people who live there; and then as to comfort, she would not know if she was in a palace. The physician who attends her says the brain has received a severe shock and is very doubtful as to what the result will be. But she has a strong constitution, and I think she will live." "And where?" Belle turned upon him a look full of astonishment. "I had not thought of that," she said. "Why, she would come to me, I suppose." "It would be a great change for her, and interrupt her studies, and put miles between her and any studio," said Fred. "Yes. It will be time enough to think of that when she recovers." CHAPTER XXVI. The funeral was over, and Frank and his brothers examined their mother's papers, to learn, if possible, her last wishes. Everything was in as perfect order as if she had known she was going forth to die. She wished Margaret to remain at Greylock, and that whichever of the family could most conveniently do so, would reside there with her, and keep up the place as of old, until such time as any striking event in the family should make some other plan more desirable. Nothing, however, could be done at present. Old Mary was left in charge, and the family scattered, gradually, away to their homes. Belle was obliged to go home, on account of her children, and Hatty wanted to go to hers.