such as silver plate, cut-glass, fine china, cutlery, etc., that
were to be sent forward to Tanglewood.

She would have had to overlook the packing of the books also, but
that Ishmael insisted on relieving her of that task, by doing it all
with his own hands, as indeed he preferred to do it, for his love of
books was almost--tender. It was curious to see him carefully
straighten the leaves and brush the cover and edges of an old book,
as conscientiously as he would have doctored a hurt child. They were
friends and he was fond of them.

Ishmael continued steadily in the performance of all his duties, yet
that he was still suffering very much might be observed in the
abiding paleness and wasting thinness of his face, and in a certain
languor and weariness in all his movements.

Bee in the midst of her multifarious cares did not forget his
interests; she took pains to have his favorite dishes appear on the
table in order to tempt him to take food. But, observing that he
still ate little or nothing, while he daily lost flesh, she took an
opportunity of saying to him in the library:

"Ishmael, you know I am a right good little doctress; I have had so
much experience in nursing father and mother and the children; so I
know what I am talking about, when I tell you that you need a
tonic."

"Oh, Bee! if you did but really know, little sister!"

"I do know, Ishmael, I know it all!" she said gently.