There was a quiet
smile on her face as she pressed the seal upon the melted wax. Then
she soliloquized:
"Yes, it will do him good to read that letter. He has no one else to
boss now but Sarah, but she doesn't resist, and ready acquiescence
takes away the pleasure of domineering. The boss wishes to break
stout twigs, not simply press down pliant willows." There came a
sharp rap upon the door--it was thrown open, and Alice entered.
"Oh, Aunt Ella, Quincy is very sick. He is choked up so he can hardly
breathe. I'm afraid it is the croup."
"We must send for Dr. Parshefield at once. But who can go? Henry
injured his foot to-day and cannot walk. Lennon, the butler, cannot
ride a horse, and Simon, the stable boy, would be frightened to death
so late at night."
"Oh, what shall we do?" cried Alice.
"Do?" exclaimed Aunt Ella. "I'll go myself. It's only two miles to
Ketchley and I can ride back with the Doctor. I'll get Harry to help
me harness the horse. Open the windows to give your boy plenty of
air, and fan him."
She took up the oil lamp that stood upon her writing table. "This is
whale oil--a nauseous smelling compound. Rub his neck and chest well
with it."
Alice sought the nursery and followed Aunt Ella's directions. She was
sitting by the crib watching her child's laboured breathing when her
aunt returned.
"Harry is going on horseback.
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