THE NEW HOME I had frightened them all by my fainting-fit, but after all it was nothing.

The doctor who had been fetched hastily by my frightened lover reassured them.
"Did you think she was sickening for the small-pox ?" he asked, looking from one face to the other with bright intelligence.

He was a young doctor not long settled in our neighbourhood, and we used to say among ourselves that he was too clever to stay long with us.

"Well, then, she isn't doing anything of the sort.

I expect she's been taking the troubles too much to heart.