"It's dreadful to be poor!" sighed little Jessie, as her waxen fingers
threaded the soft, nut-brown hair resting in her lap, where Maddy had
lain her aching head.
Maddy did not know who this beautiful child was, but her sympathy was
very sweet, and they talked together as children will, until Mrs.
Agnes' voice was heard calling to her little girl that it was time to
go.
"I love you, Maddy, and I mean to tell brother about it," Jessie said,
as she wound her arms around Madeline's neck and kissed her at
parting.
It never occurred to Maddy to ask her name, so stupified she felt, and
with a responsive kiss she sent her away. Leaning her head upon the
table, she forgot all but her own wretchedness, and so did not see the
gayly-dressed, haughty-looking lady who swept past the door,
accompanied by Guy and Dr. Holbrook. Neither did she hear, or notice,
if she did, the hum of their voices as they talked together for a
moment, Agnes asking the doctor very prettily to come up to Aikenside
while she was there, and bring his ladylove. Engaged young men like
Guy were so stupid, she said, as with a merry laugh she sprang into
the carriage; and, bowing gracefully to the doctor, was driven rapidly
toward Aikenside.
Rather slowly the doctor returned to the office, and after fidgeting
for a time among the powders and phials, summoned courage to ask
Madeline how she felt, and if any of the fainting symptoms had
returned.
"No, sir," was all the reply she gave him, never lifting up her head,
or even thinking which of the two young men it was speaking to her.
There was a call just then for Dr. Holbrook, and leaving his office in
charge of Tom, his chore boy, he went away, feeling slightly
uncomfortable whenever he thought of the girl to whom he felt that
justice had not been done.
"I half wish I had examined her myself," he said. "Of course she was
excited, and could not answer; beside, hanged if I don't believe it
was all humbug tormenting her with Greek and Latin. Yes; I'll question
her when I get back, and if she'll possibly pass, give her the
certificate. Poor child; how white she was, and what a queer look
there was in those great eyes, when she said: 'I shall not take it.'"
Never in his life before had Dr. Holbrook been as much interested in
any female who was not sick as he was in Madeline, and determining to
make his call on Mrs. Briggs as brief as possible, he alighted at her
gate, and knocked impatiently at her door. He found her pretty sick,
while both her children needed a prescription, and so long a time was
he detained that his heart misgave him on his homeward route, lest
Maddy should be gone, and with her the chance to remedy the wrong he
might have done her.