'I'm afraid you must make up your mind to the worst,' says he.

'I have been hearing about the poor child from my friend who's attended her; and I'm sorry to say I don't think there's much hope.' Then he goes to the bed and looks at her.

'Ah,' says he, 'there's just the same expression in her face that I remember seeing in a mason's boy--a patient of mine--who fell off a ladder, and lost his hearing altogether by the shock.

You don't hear what I'm saying, do you, my dear ?' says he in a hearty cheerful way.

'You don't hear me saying that you're the prettiest little girl I ever saw in my life ?' She looked up at him confused, and quite silent.