But thank Heaven for your high spirits, all the same! They will tide you over many a hard place, and the years will bring the 'inevitable yoke' soon enough, Polly," and here Dr.George passed behind the girl's chair and put his two kind hands on her shoulders.

"Polly, can you be really a woman?
Can you put the little-girl days bravely behind you ?" "I can, Dr.George." This in a very trembling voice.
"Can you settle all these details for your mother, and assume responsibilities?
Can you take her away, as if she were the child and you the mother, all at once ?" "I can!" This more firmly.
"Can you deny yourself for her, as she has for you?
Can you keep cheerful and sunny?
Can you hide your fears, if there should be cause for any, in your own heart?
Can you be calm and strong, if"-- "No, no!" gasped Polly, dropping her head on the back of the chair and shivering like a leaf.

"No, no; don't talk about fears, Dr.George.
She will be better.

She will be better very soon.

I could not live"-- "It is n't so easy to die, my child, with plenty of warm young blood running pell-mell through your veins, and a sixteen-year-old heart that beats like a chronometer." "I could not bear life without mamma, Dr.George!" "A human being, made in the image of God, can bear anything, child; but I hope you won't have to meet that sorrow for many a long year yet.