the ward to-morrow, for I wish to see him. Now don't alter this message,
please, Swot."

That her Mercury did her bidding more effectively was proved by her
finding the doctor at the bedside when she arrived the next day.

"Swot told me that you wished to see me, Miss Durant," he said.

"Yes, and I'm very much obliged to you for waiting. I--How soon will it be
possible for him to be up?"

"He is doing so famously that we'll have him out of bed by Monday, I
hope."

"I promised him a present, and I want to have a Christmas tree for him, if
he can come to it."

"Wot's dat?" came the quick question from the bed.

"If you don't know, I'm going to let it be a surprise to you, Swot. Do
you think he will be well enough to come to my house? Of course I'll
send my carriage."

"If he continues to improve, he certainly will be."

"Say, is dat de ting dey has for de mugs wot goes to Sunday-school, an'
dat dey has a party for?"

"Yes, only this tree will be only for you, Swot,"