But we will soon nurse you back to health and strength--uncle and aunt and I." "I hope so, indeed," Mrs.Leland said in her sweet, gentle tones.

"You have had most unpleasant weather for your journey, Laura, so that it is not to be wondered at that you are exhausted.

You must have some refreshment at once," and with the last word she hastened away in search of it.
"And here is something to relieve that dreadful cough," said Mrs.
Travilla, presenting herself with a delicate china cup in her hand.
Evelyn introduced the two ladies, and her mother, being assured that the cup contained nothing unpleasant to the taste, quickly swallowed its contents, then lay back quietly upon her pillows, still keeping fast hold of her daughter's hand, while Grandma Elsie, giving the cup to a servant to carry away, resumed her easy chair on the farther side of the room--near enough to be ready to render assistance should it be needed, yet not so near as to interfere with any private talk between the long separated mother and daughter--and her grandchildren again gathered about her.

But they seemed awed into silence by the presence of the stranger invalid, whom they gazed upon with pitying curiosity, while her attention seemed equally occupied with them.
"Your uncle's children ?" she asked of Evelyn in a tone scarcely louder than a whisper.
"Yes, mamma.

Edward, the eldest, you saw when he was a mere baby boy.
Eric, the next, is papa's namesake.