attentive, in such a little boy as Tom is, to think of me and my basket; I
am sure I shall be glad of your assistance, for I am quite tired with it."
"Oh!" answered Peggy, "I shall do it with the greatest pleasure, that, or
any thing else, for any one that belongs to our good Minister; I was
sorely vexed to hear that Miss Helen was so bad. But have you heard the
news?" "No," answered John, "what is it?" "As I was taking away the
breakfast things this morning, Nanny being busy about something in the
kitchen, I heard my master read in the paper, that Capt. Elliott, your
mistress's brother, had been fighting with a French frigate, and had taken
her; and that he had brought her into some port in England, but I forget
the name. My master said he was glad of it, for the Captain was a brave
fellow, and an honour to the name of Elliott: and my mistress added, now
Mrs. Martin will get a sight of her only brother; in the last letter he
wrote to her, he promised that the first time he came into port, he would
endeavour to get leave of absence, to come down and see his old mother,
from whom he had been absent now for ten years."

"This is news, indeed, Peggy," replied John. "I am sure I wish it may be
true. I only hope he may not come before Miss Helen is better, for that
would spoil all my mistress's pleasure." Peggy and John went chatting
along till they reached the Manse, when they parted, John thanking her
very heartily for the assistance she had given him in carrying the
flowerpots.

As soon as he got in, he went and tapped at the study door. "Come in,
John," said Mr. Martin, "I heard your voice in the kitchen. Pray, how is
Marion?" "Very bad, indeed, Sir. Mrs. Scott said she had not slept all
night, and was quite delirious this morning. Mr. Armstrong said, that he
hoped the measles would be fully out by the evening, and he thought she
would then be better." After John had finished delivering his message, he