Cousin Maude

Need we say those flowers were dearer to Matty than the wealth of

the Indies would have been! They had blossomed on Harry's grave--his

dust had added to them life, and as if they were indeed a part of

him, she hugged them to her heart--kissing them through her tears

and blessing Janet for the priceless gift.

"Don't tell him, though," she whispered, and a deep flush mounted to

her cheek as on the stairs she heard a heavy footstep, and knew that

Dr. Kennedy was coming!

He had been in the kitchen, demanding of Hannah, "Whose is all that

baggage in the hall?" and Hannah, glad of an opportunity to "free

her mind," had answered, "Some low-lived truck or other that they

called 'Janet,' and a body'd s'pose she owned the house, the way she

went on, splittin' up yer board for kindlin', makin' missus' toast

swim in butter, and a-bilin' three of them eggs you laid away to

sell. If she stays here, this nigger won't--that's my 'pinion," and

feeling greatly injured she left the kitchen, while Dr. Kennedy,

with a dark, moody look upon his face, started for the sick-room.

He knew very well who his visitor was, and when his wife said,

"Husband, this is my faithful Janet, or rather Mrs. Blodgett now.

Wasn't it kind in her to come so far to see me?" he merely nodded

coolly to Mrs. Blodgett, who nodded as coolly in return; then,

turning to his wife, he said, "You seem excited, my dear, and this

ought not to be. 'Tis a maxim of mine that company is injurious to

sick people. What do you think, Mrs. Blodgett?"

Mrs. Blodgett didn't think anything save that he was a most

disagreeable man, and as she could not say this in his presence, she

made no particular answer. Glancing toward the empty plate which

stood upon the table, he continued, "Hannah tells me, my dear, that

you have eaten three boiled eggs. I wonder at your want of

discretion, when you know how indigestible they are," and his eye

rested reprovingly on Janet, who now found her tongue, and starting

up, exclaimed, "One biled egg won't hurt anybody's digester, if it's

ever so much out of kilter--but the jade lied. Two of them eggs I

cooked for myself, and I'll warrant she's guzzled 'em down before

this. Anyway, I'll go and see," and she arose to leave the room.

Just as she reached the door the doctor called after her, saying,

"Mrs. Blodgett, I observed a trunk or two in the lower hall, which I

presume are yours. Will you have them left there, or shall I bring

them up to your chamber? You will stay all night with us, of

course!"