Whom do you have ordinarily?"

The question was put to Phillis, who, her fury all gone, stood behind
the sofa almost as pale as the poor child. She answered humbly, and
named Dr. Anstruther, whom Christian well knew by report; an old
man, who for forty years had been the depository of the sicknesses and
the sorrows of half Avonsbridge.

"Go, then, tell your master I think Barker ought to be sent for him at
once; and say to Dr. Grey--only don't frighten him, for it may be a mere
trifle after all--that I am afraid he will have to dine out without me
today. Go quick, Phillis; there is no time to lose." For the little face
was sinking back paler and paler, and there was an occasional faint
moan.

Almost for the first time since her entrance into the Grey family,
Phillis, against her will, actually obeyed orders and slipped away so
hastily that she stumbled over Letitia, and gave her a good box on the
ear; however, the little girl did not cry, but gathered herself up, as if
quite used to such treatment, and crept over to the sofa.

"Will Atty die, do you think?" she whispered in much curiosity--only
curiosity there was not a tear in her eyes. "Because then he would
never thump me any more."

Christian's very soul recoiled, and then melted into the deepest pity.
What sort of bringing up could it have been which had resulted in
feelings like these?

She took no notice of what was said, but merely desired the little girl to