as long as possible."

"I don't feel so sure of that," thought the doctor shrewdly. "Boys are
not usually so fond of the society of their guardians, though I don't
doubt Walter has a sincere regard for me. He is a warm-hearted boy."

Doctor Mack was no longer in active practice. Three years before he
had selected an assistant--a young Doctor Winthrop--in whom his
patients had come to feel confidence, so that when he wanted to go
away for a few days there was no serious objection. Unlike some
elderly practitioners, Doctor Mack did not feel in the least jealous
of his young assistant, but was very glad to note his popularity.

"If any one calls for me, Nancy," he said, "say that I am away for a
day or two and they can't do better than go to Doctor Winthrop."

"There are some that like you best, sir."

"No doubt, no doubt! They're used to me, you know. There's a good deal
in that. Any that please can wait for me, but my advice to them is to
go to Doctor Winthrop."

Nancy packed the doctor's hand-bag, putting in a change of linen, a
comb and brush, an extra pair of socks and a couple of handkerchiefs.
Then, seeing that there was plenty of room, she slipped in a small box
of cookies and a little camomile. The doctor discovered them soon
after he started on his journey, and with a smile tossed the camomile
out of the window, while he gave the cookies to a poor woman who was
traveling with a couple of small children in the same car as himself.
So that Nancy Sprague's thoughtfulness was not wholly lost, though the