'I have not seen him since dinner-time. You said he was gone out
with Dr. Spencer, Aubrey?'

'Yes, I heard Dr. Spencer's voice--"I say, Dick"--like three notes of
consternation,' said Aubrey; 'and off they went. I fancy there's
some illness about in the Lower Pond Buildings, that Dr. Spencer has
been raging so long to get drained.'

'The knell has been ringing for a little child there,' added Mary;
'scarlatina, I believe--'

'But, Richard,' burst forth the merry voice of the youngest, 'you
must see our letters from Edinburgh.'

'You have heard, then? It was the very thing I came to ask.'

'Oh yes! there were five notes in one cover,' said Gertrude. 'Papa
says they are to be laid up in the family archives, and labelled "The
Infants' Honeymoon."'

'Papa is very happy with his own share,' said Ethel. 'It was signed,
"Still his own White Flower," and it had two Calton Hill real daisies
in it. I don't know when I have seen him more pleased.'

'And Hector's letter--I can say that by heart,' continued Gertrude.
'"My dear Father, This is only to say that she is the darlint, and
for the pleasure of subscribing myself--Your loving SON,"--the son as
big as all the rest put together.'

'I tell Blanche that he only took her for the pleasure of being my