They had scarcely commenced the meal when the father entered.
Like his wife, he was coarsely dressed. In personal appearance
he resembled his oldest boy. His wife looking up as he entered
perceived that he looked troubled.

"What is the matter, Hiram?" she asked. "You look as if something
had happened."

"Nothing has happened yet," he answered; "but I am afraid we are
going to lose the cow."

"Going to lose the cow!" repeated Mrs. Walton in dismay.

"She is sick. I don't know what's the matter with her."

"Perhaps it is only a trifle. She may get over it during the day."

"She may, but I'm afraid she won't. Farmer Henderson's cow was
taken just that way last fall, and he couldn't save her."

"What are you going to do?"

"I have been to Elihu Perkins, and he's coming over to see what he
can do for her. He can save her if anybody can."

The children listened to this conversation, and, young as they were,
the elder ones understood the calamity involved in the possible
loss of the cow. They had but one, and that was relied upon to
furnish milk for the family, and, besides a small amount of butter