"Hush, Nelly," said Sandy, "you would have done no such thing. You are
only angry because your supper has not been eaten to-night; but I dare say
Archie has nothing to do with that; it is more likely to be Miss Helen's
illness."

"I did not think of that, indeed," said Nelly. "May be Archie is not to
blame about the supper, and he has enough to answer for without laying
that to his charge; but, good night," continued she, "it is time we were
all gone to bed. Remember, Sandy, that Archie must not leave the house
till our master has seen and talked with him. I was desired to tell you to
be very particular about this. I am thinking the Minister will read him a
lecture. I am sure I would not be in his place for the best new gown in
Langholm." So saying, they all separated for the evening.

Through the night poor Helen suffered considerably; and her anxious mother
never left her till towards morning, when Mr. Martin took his wife's
place, and insisted that she should lie down for a few hours. "We shall
have you ill too, my dear, if you do not take care; and then what will
become of us?" "Pray, mamma," said Helen, (who had heard what her father
said,) "do go to bed. I promise you I will lie quite still, and give papa
no trouble that I can help." Mrs. Martin was at last persuaded to leave
them; and after a sleep of three hours, found, on her return to the room,
that the measles had made their appearance, and that Helen felt rather
better than when she had left her.

On going down stairs, Mr. Martin enquired for Archie Kerr, of Nelly, who
was laying the cloth for breakfast. "He is pretty well, Sir, this morning,
but wants sadly to get away to his work. At least, that is what he says;
but I think he is afraid to see you, after what happened last night. When
he discovered where he was, Sandy tells me, he grew quite pale, and said,