"Why, child, thee needn't be so frightened."

"Never mind!" exclaimed Miss Betsy, promptly coming to the rescue, "it's
enough to frighten anybody. It fairly makes me shiver in my shoes. If
Alf. Barton had ha' done his dooty like a man, this wouldn't ha'
happened!"

"I've no doubt Alfred did the best he could, under the circumstances,"
the Doctor sternly remarked.

"Fiddle-de-dee!" was Miss Betsy's contemptuous answer. "He's no more
gizzard than a rabbit. But that's neither here nor there; Mary Potter
wants me to go down and help, and go I will!"

"Yes, I think thee might as well go down to-morrow morning, though I'm
in hopes the young man may be better, if he minds my directions," said
the Doctor.

"To-morrow mornin'? Why not next week? When help's wanted, give it
_right away_; don't let the grass grow under your feet, say I! Good luck
that I gev up Mendenhall's home-comin' over t' the Lion, or I wouldn't
ha' been here; so another cup o' tea, Martha, and I'm off!"

Martha left the table at the same time, and followed Miss Betsy
up-stairs. Her eyes were full of tears, but she did not tremble, and her
voice came firm and clear.

"I am going with you," she said.