It was very pleasant that afternoon, for the summer breeze was blowing

cool across the fields, where the laborers were busy; and with the

elasticity of youth, Maddy's tears stopped their flowing, but not

until the dear old home had disappeared, and they were some distance

on the road to Aikenside.

"I wonder how I shall like Mrs. Remington and Mr. Guy?" was the first

remark she made.

"You'll not see them immediately. They left this morning for

Saratoga," the doctor replied.

"Left! Mr. Guy gone!" Maddy repeated in a disappointed tone.

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"Are you very sorry?" the doctor asked, and Maddy replied: "I did want to see him once; you know I never have."

It would be such a surprise to find that Guy was no other than the

terrible inspector, that he would not undeceive her, the doctor

thought; and so he relapsed into a thoughtful mood, from which Maddy

aroused him by breaking the subject of the unpaid bill, asking if he'd

please not trouble grandpa, but wait until she could pay it.

"Perhaps it's wrong asking it when you were so good, but if you only

will take me for payment," and Maddy's soft brown eyes were lifted to

his face.

"Yes, Maddy, I'll take you for payment," the doctor said, smiling,

half seriously, as his eyes rested fondly upon her.

Even then stupid Maddy did not understand him, but began to calculate

out loud how long it would take to earn the money. She'd heard people

say that the doctor charged a dollar a visit to Honedale, and he'd

been so many, many times, that it would take a great many weeks to pay

him; besides, there was the debt to Mr. Guy. She wanted to help pay

that, but did not see how she could, unless he waited, too. Did the

doctor think he would? It seemed terrible to the doctor that one so

young as Maddy should be harassed with the payment of debts, and he

felt a most intense desire for the right to shield her from all such

care, but he must not speak of it then; he'd rather she should remain

a little longer an artless child, confiding all her troubles to him as

if he had been her brother.

"There's Aikenside," he said, at last, and it was not long before they

passed through the gate, guarded by the great bronze lions, and struck

into the graveled road leading to the house.

"It's grander, finer, than I ever dreamed. Oh! if I could some time

have just such a home! and doctor, look! What does make that water go

up in the air so? Is it what they call a fountain?"




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