Anxious watchers were in the house, in the yard, gathered round the back gate.

The news had spread, and gentlepeople, friends of the Verners, came hasting from their homes, and pressed into Verner's Pride, and asked question upon question of Mr.and Mrs.Verner, of everybody likely to afford an answer.

Old Matthew Frost stood outwardly calm and collected, full of inward trust, as a good man should be.

He had learned where to look for support in the darkest trial.

Mr.Verner in that night of sorrow seemed to treat him as a brother.
One hour! Two hours! and still they plied their remedies, under the able direction of Dr.West.All was of no avail, as the experienced physician had told them.