"Then you must have the doctor." She spoke decisively.

To this the butler made no reply, at least in words. He stood wrapt in
deep abstraction, his face filled with perplexity and gloom, and as the
cook watched him anxiously her face too took on gradually the same
expression.

"I has not see him like this before, not in ten year--not in twelve
year. Not since he got that letter from that young lady what--." He
stopped and looked at the cook.--"He was hactually hirascible!"

"He must be got to bed, poor dear!" said the cook, sympathetically. "And
you must get the doctor, and I'll make some good rich broth to have it
handy.--And just when we were a-goin' to dress the house and have it so
beautiful!"

She turned away, her round face full of woe.

"Ah! Well!--" The butler tried to find some sentence that might be
comforting; but before he could secure one that suited, the door bell
rang, and he went to answer it.




CHAPTER VI


It was Mr. Clark, who as soon as the door was opened stepped within and