"All but Nell," was the reply, "and I don't know that there's much amiss with her. But I should like you to see her. She had a terrible fright yesterday, and doesn't seem to get over it." Kenneth's look was anxious and inquiring. "I supposed you had heard--" the major began, but Dale interrupted, "No, no, he hasn't had time to hear anything yet, or even to eat; and here comes Zeb with his supper. I told him to bring it over to your office, doctor." "Thank you," said Kenneth, "but it can wait. I will go with you at once, major." But the major would not hear of it. "There is no hurry," he insisted. "Besides you ought to hear the story of her fright before seeing her, and may as well do so while breaking your fast." Kenneth yielded, for he had not tasted food since early morning, and felt in sore need of it. "What can we do for her?" asked the major in conclusion. "Divert her mind from the subject as much as possible," returned the doctor. "Dosing is not what she needs." "My opinion exactly," responded the major, "but I must crave your assistance in applying your prescription." "Certainly, my dear sir, I will do my best." It was a fair summer evening, the sun just touching the treetops, as Kenneth left his office in company with the major. People were gathered about the doors of their dwellings or places of business, the day's work done for most of the men, though the busy housewives still plied the needle, sewing or knitting; thus exemplifying the truth of the old adage, "Man's work is from sun to sun, but a woman's work is never done." Children played hide and seek among the trees, their glad voices ringing out upon the quiet air in merry shouts and silvery laughter; but many of them, on catching sight of Kenneth, left their sport to run and take him by the hand, welcoming him with eager delight, and asking him where he had been so long. Older people, too, crowded about him with a like greeting and the same question. He parried it as best he might, not feeling disposed to be communicative on the subject, returned the handshakings and kindly greetings, and asked after the health of each family represented. "You have won all hearts here, Dr. Clendenin," the major remarked, when at length they had parted with the last of the friendly interrogators and were drawing near his own door. "Oh, I believe it is so!" Kenneth answered, with a glad lighting up of his grave, almost sad face, "and I sometimes wonder how it has come about." "Love begets love, and so it is with disinterested kindness also," the major answered. Mrs. Lamar, coming to meet them, caught the last words. "Quite true," she assented, holding out a hand to Kenneth, "and I know of no one else in whose case we see such an exemplification of that fact as in Dr. Clendenin's. Doctor, running away so suddenly and mysteriously, you left many an anxious heart behind you." She gave him a look of keen curiosity as she spoke. But he would not take the hint.