"My former advice, Merwyn," said his host; "you must make a light meal and wait until you are more rested."
"O papa, what counsel to give a guest!"
"Counsel easily followed," said Merwyn. "I crave little else than coffee. Indeed, your kindness, Miss Vosburgh, has so heartened me, that I am rallying fast."
"Since everything is to be in such great moderation, perhaps I have been too prodigal of that," was the arch reply.
"I shall be grateful for much or little."
"Oh, no, don't put anything on the basis of gratitude. I have too much of that to be chary of it."
"A happy state of affairs," said Merwyn, "since what you regard as services on my part are priceless favors to me. I can scarcely realize it, and have thought of it all day, that I only, of all your friends, can be with you now. Strahan will be green with envy, and so I suppose will the others."
"I do not think any the less of them because it is impossible for them to be here," said the young girl, blushing.
"Of course not. It's only my immense good fortune. They would give their right eyes to stand in my shoes."
"I hope I may soon hear that they are all recovering. I fear that
Mr. Lane's and Mr. Strahan's wounds are serious; and, although Mr.
Blauvelt made light of his hurt, he may find that it is no trifle."