"I don't doubt it," said the doctor, taking his hat and gloves, and without waiting to hear all Mrs. Murray had to say against his advice being followed, he jumped into his gig and drove away.
"That girl has done my invalid at Fairfield a world of good," he said to Mrs. Perceval, when he got home.
"I am glad their experiment has done Mary no harm," replied the lady, "and it will be a great relief to Elsie to hear it too, for I was telling her this morning it would not be wise to go against doctor's orders in that way, as a general rule."
"Well no, perhaps, it wouldn't, but I believe Mary had so strong an impulse to walk again, that any doctor would have sanctioned it, if they had known of it; and certainly her mother would, if she had not grown so terribly nervous about the girl. Now, I hope when Elsie goes home, she will help her friend to walk out a little way, every day that it is fine, and Mary will soon be as well and strong as Elsie herself. By the way, she is looking a good deal better since she came here," added the doctor.
"Yes, she does. She needed a change I felt sure, she is so very anxious lest her brother should not get this scholarship for the horticultural college. She says he is very fond of gardening, so that it will be just the thing for him; and Fairfield will be able to hold up its head, as the first village in the neighbourhood that has been able to take advantage of the bequest which was left for these scholarships."
"Oh, I think the lad is pretty sure to get it," said the doctor. "I was talking to Cotton the other day, and he says the lad has been working splendidly all the summer, and Murray is going to have him at his house in the evening from now until November, that he may help him all he can; so that I think he will pull it off all right. This girl who is staying here won a scholarship for herself they tell me; it seems a pity she could not have had it."
"Yes, it does seem a pity," said the lady, "though she might not have been such a kind, thoughtful girl, if she had had more book learning. I am sure she has been quite a comfort to me these holidays, and added to everybody's enjoyment, as well as enjoying herself, I hope."
There was little question but that Elsie was enjoying the change of air, and scene, and society. And the thought that here a slice of bread and butter—more or less—would make no perceptible difference in the larder, gave zest to her appetite, and she enjoyed her food with double relish.
It was with mingled feelings of regret and relief that she went home, for she was afraid lest she should find her mother almost worn out with the extra care and trouble that would fall upon her while she was away; but she found her looking much the same as when she left her.
"Dear, dear mother, I am glad to come back to you," said Elsie, "though I have had a splendid holiday, and enjoyed myself so much."