"Do go, Tavia," said Dorothy, who had just opened her eyes, and heard
Aunt Libby's argument, "I'm all right now; only nervous."

"But I've promised myself a whole night with you, and I'm not going to
be chased away, just at the witching hour," Tavia insisted.

But tired nature produced an argument incontrovertible, and when Tavia
stretched out on the comfortable cot, and tried to chat as lively to
Dorothy as if it had been mid-day on the side porch, she began to feel
drowsy, then she noticed Dorothy did not answer promptly, and so she
made her words "long and draggy" as mothers do when babies show signs of
"giving in." Presently there was a hush--both nurse and patient were
sound asleep.

When Dr. Gray called the next morning he advised a complete change for
Dorothy. She was physically well enough, he said, but the shock to her
nervous system might result in complete prostration, unless her mind was
speedily disabused of the unpleasant memory.

Major Dale knew this advice was wise, and he concluded to send Dorothy
to visit his sister, Mrs. Winthrop White, of North Birchland.

"Pleasant company," said the doctor to Major Dale as he left, "is all
the girl wants. I wouldn't wonder but that little friend of hers--the
lively one,--would help her, if it could be made convenient for her to
go along."

Convenient? That uncertainty had nothing to do with circumstances
important to his daughter's health, Major Dale decided. If Tavia's
company would be beneficial to Dorothy's health Tavia should go to North