now, and we must do the very best we can. If he were ill a long time we
would have to get along."

Only waiting to snatch up a sandwich left from her brothers' lunch,--for
she knew the noon hour would be a busy time at the Bugle office,--
Dorothy hurried out and over to Tavia's.

"I can't go to school to-day," she called in at the half opened door.
"Father is sick, and I must attend to some business for him."

"Bad?" queried Tavia, for she noticed the change in her friend's manner.

"Perhaps not so very. But you know he is seldom sick, and now he has a
fever."

"Fever?" echoed Mrs. Travers. "Tavia, close that door this very minute!
We cannot afford to catch fevers."

Dorothy felt as if some one had slapped her face. To think of her father
giving any one sickness!

"Nonsense, ma," spoke up Tavia. "The major is only ill from walking in
the hot sun. Come in, Doro dear, and tell us if we can help you."

"Aunt Libby is alone with him, and when the doctor comes she may need
something. If your ma would not be afraid to let Johnnie run over about
noon, I would pay him for any errand," spoke Dorothy.

"Oh, certainly, dear," the woman replied, now venturing to poke her
uncombed head out of doors, thinking, evidently that the mere mention of