And William admitted that he would not.

After that he even put the matter to his wife "Martha, you're a

sensible woman, I'd like to ask you about a case." "Oh, well," said

Martha simpering, "I don't pretend to any very great wisdom, but I do

know something about sickness."

"This isn't sickness; it's about a child. Do you think a child is

susceptible to the influence of an older person who is not of the

highest character? If, for instance, the mother was--not good, do you

suppose a child would be injured?"

"Not good?" said Martha, horrified. "Oh, William' Somebody in Upper

Chester, I suppose?"

"But she is a devoted mother; you couldn't be more conscientious

yourself. So do you think her conduct could do any harm to a child?"

"Oh, Willy! A child in the care of a bad woman? Shocking!"

"Not bad--not bad--" he said faintly.

"Most shocking! Of course a child would be susceptible to such

influences."

William drew arabesques on the table-cloth with his fork, "Well, I

don't know--" he began, "I know!" said Martha, and began to lay down the law. For if

Martha prided herself upon anything, besides her common sense, it was

the correctness of her views upon the training of children. But she

stopped long enough to say, "William, please! the table-cloth." And

William put his fork down.

He thought of his wife's words very often in the next few days. He

thought of them when David stood rattling the knob of the dining-room

door, and saying "Maggie says please come and see Mrs. Richie." He

thought of them as Jinny pulled him slowly up the hill.

Sarah was lying in wait for him at the green gate. Maggie had sent for

him, she said; and having put the responsibility where it belonged,

she gave him what information she could. Mrs. Richie wasn't well

enough to see her brother before he went away on the stage; she

wouldn't eat any breakfast, and she looked like she was dead. And when

she (Sarah) had given her a note from Mr. Pryor, she read it and right

afterwards kind of fainted away like. An' when she come to, she

(Sarah) had said, "Don't you want the doctor?" An' Mrs. Richie said

"No." "But Maggie was scared, Dr. King; and she just sent David for

you."

"Quite right," said William King, "Let Mrs. Richie know I am here."




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