"I think you may trust me not to neglect my patients." "I hope so, indeed," she responded; "and that you will never be less careful and considerate of the poor than of the rich." Fortunately they found all doing so well that no lengthened call was necessary, and they reached Beechwood in season to allow quite a long chat between the lady cousins before it would be time for Mrs.Travilla and her son to set out on their return to Ion.
They found Mr.Lilburn and Annis seated upon the front veranda, she with a bit of needlework in her hands, he reading aloud to her.

He closed his book as the carriage drove up, and laying it aside, hastened to assist his Cousin Elsie to alight, greeting her with warmth of affection as he did so.

Annis dropped her work and hastened to meet and embrace her, saying: "Oh, but I am glad to see you, Elsie! I had letters this morning from Mildred and Zilla, both bringing a great deal of love to you and a cordial invitation to you and yours--as well as my husband and myself--to pay them a visit this summer.

They have not yet heard of Rosie's approaching marriage, I find." "But must hear of it very soon," Elsie said with a smile.

"As soon as the important day is fixed upon I must send out my invitations; and you may rest assured that none of our relatives will be forgotten or neglected; certainly not one of your sisters or brothers." "No, my dear cousin, it would not be at all like you to neglect any of them," returned Annis with a smile of loving appreciation.