The day after she had replaced the coarse horse-blanket with a soft down
quilt, the doctor made one of his bi-weekly visits to her mother.

As he stood taking leave of Ruth on the veranda, he turned, with his foot
on the last step, and looked up at her as if arrested by a sudden thought.

"Miss Levice," said he, "I should like to give you a friendly scolding.
May I?"

"How can I prevent you?"

"Well, if I were you I should not indulge Bob's love of luxury as you do.
He positively refused to get up yesterday on account of the 'soft feel,' as
he termed it, of that quilt. Now, you know, he must get up; he is able to,
and in a week I wish to start him in to work again. Then he won't be able
to afford such 'soft feels,' and he will rebel. He has had enough coddling
for his own good. I really think it is mistaken kindness on your part,
Miss Levice."

The girl was leaning lightly against one of the supporting columns. A
playful smile parted her lips as she listened."

Dr. Kemp," she replied, "may I give you a little friendly scolding?"

"You have every right." His tone was somewhat earnest, despite his smiling
eyes. A man of thirty-five does not resent a friendly scolding from a
winsome young girl.

"Well, don't you think it is rather hard of you to deprive poor Bob of any
pleasure to-day may bring, on the ground that to-morrow he may wish it too,