The hours of the sunny day, filled with delight for Anna amongst the pleasant woods of Alderbury, did not pass so quickly at Number 4 Back Row. The Professor was ill. He had had a slight feverish attack to begin with, which passed off, and seemed of no importance, but it had left him in a state of nervous weakness and prostration, at which Dr Hunt looked grave. Mr Goodwin must have been over-exerting himself for some time past, he declared, and this breakdown was the result. It would probably be some time before he could do any work. Perfect rest, and freedom from all care and agitation, were the only remedies. "Don't let him know, Delia," he said to his daughter as he left the house, "that he's likely to be laid up long. Keep him as quiet and cheerful as possible. I'll send a line to Mrs Forrest, and let her know that his grandchild may be with him as much as she likes." Delia prepared to spend the rest of the day with her old friend, and having persuaded him to lie down on the hard little couch, and made him as comfortable as she could with pillows, she sat down in the window with her sewing. From here she could watch the little gate, and prevent any one from entering too suddenly. Of course Anna would come soon. The Professor was very quiet, but she thought he turned his eyes towards the door now and then, as though looking for some one. Was it Anna? At last she was thankful to see him fall into a doze which lasted some while, and she was just thinking for the hundredth time that Anna _must_ come now, when she was startled by his voice: "Prissy," it said, quite clearly. Delia went up to the sofa. Mr Goodwin gazed at her for a moment without recognition. "You've had a nice sleep, Professor," she said, smiling, "and now you are going to have some tea with me." But in spite of his sleep, the Professor's face looked anxious, and he hardly tasted the tea which Delia prepared. As she took his cup, he said wistfully: "Did Dr Hunt write to Mrs Forrest?" Delia nodded. "Did--did Anna happen to come while I was asleep?" was his next question. "She's not been yet," said Delia, "but they may not have had the letter till late. She will come soon." "I should like to see her," said the Professor.