"Oh, I'm quite well, thank you, uncle."
"Are you, little mouse? Why, you're as white as a snow-flake, and no wonder. We must take better care of you, Stella."
"Oh, uncle, I was very silly; of course I ought to have known it was only George. Won't you forgive him, please? He's ever so sorry, and he'll never do it again."
"I should hope not!"
"You will forgive him, won't you?"
"If I find he is thoroughly repentant I will, certainly."
"Shall I tell him to come down and see you now before you go out?" Stella asked coaxingly.
"I suppose he sent you to me," Dr. Knight said, laughing, "I know his way. Yes, tell him I want a few words with him, my dear."
So peace reigned once more in the doctor's household, and from that time Stella got on better with the twins. She learned to laugh when they teased her, and not to be vexed and cross, so that they soon found there was no fun in worrying her at all, and let her alone.
She grew to love her aunt more and more, taking all her childish troubles to her like the other children, listening to her gentle counsel, and receiving from her lips the teaching that she no longer found difficult to understand.