"You lazy girl!" laughed Gertrude; then seeing that she looked really tired, added, "You take a rest, dear, while I pick some flowers and ferns, and then I will bring them to you and we will arrange them together."
Gertrude had joined Lena, with both hands full of floral treasures, and they were busy arranging them into a pretty nosegay, when the sound of footsteps caused them to look up. They so seldom met any one in these quiet lanes, that both the girls stopped their work to see who was coming. In a few moments their curiosity was gratified by seeing their old friend the boatman coming towards them from the direction of the White Cottage.
"Halloa, David!" called out Lena, "have you been for a walk?"
"Yes, Missie," answered the old man as he touched his hat.
"We are going to the wood, and to call and buy some flowers from that little girl, Mary Roberts," said Gertrude.
"I would not go that way to-day, Miss," he answered gravely.
"Oh yes, but we want to—we mean to," said Lena.
"What is the matter, David?" asked Gertrude, seeing he looked troubled.
"I've just came from the cottage, Miss, from seeing little Mary. She's down with the fever."
Both girls exclaimed in tones of pity, "Poor Mary!" and Gertrude added, "Is there nothing we can do for her, David? Is she very ill?"