IV.
GREEDY BELL AND HONEST BENNIE.
“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.”
“Narrow escape!” said one to another as the crowd separated.
A run-away horse had dashed against the phaeton containing Mrs. Forbush and her niece, upsetting it, and throwing both occupants out. Fortunately their own horse remained perfectly manageable, and a few slight bruises were all the injuries received. Miss Marvin was taken up insensible, but soon recovered.
“Nothing worse than a shock to the nervous system. She will be out in a day or two,” said good old Dr. Helps, who never frightened his patients to death for the sake of a marvellous cure.
The next morning Miss Marvin’s purse was discovered to be missing.
“It was in your chatelaine pocket and must have dropped out. Of course, with such a crowd you’ll never see it again; but then, it’s a mercy our necks weren’t broken,” said Mrs. Forbush, consolingly. “I’m going down street, now. Bell will wait on you. Don’t exert yourself at all, remember.”
Just after Mrs. Forbush had gone, there was a ring at the door. Bell peeped out of the window.
“It’s only a boy—a telegram, may be. I’ll run down myself,” she said.
She was back in a moment all out of breath.