"She is getting on wonderfully well," said the schoolmaster; while Mrs. Murray said, in a quieter tone, "She certainly seems better in health than she has been for a long time."
"I can walk as far as Mrs. Winn's without feeling a bit tired," said Mary.
"Very well, let that be the limit of your walks for the present, and rest a bit there and have a chat with your friend before you come back; that is the best advice I can give you. I have told Elsie she must stay in bed a few days; but you can help her as she helped you, and by-and-bye we shall see what we shall see," added the doctor, for he had no doubt that help would speedily be sent to the widow from her wealthy sister. And he did not hear for some days that no answer came to the widow's letter.
[CHAPTER XVIII.]
CONCLUSION.
"MILNER, Dr. Staples wishes to see you in his study."
This was the message brought to Herbert one morning in the late autumn, just before they went into school.
"What is it, do you know?" said Herbert, stepping aside from the group of boys, who were all talking at once over some matter of great interest to them. "What is the row, do you know?" The messenger happened to be his particular chum.
"Well, I fancy it's about the lessons. You see, old fellow, they haven't been up to the mark lately. You haven't been exactly the pattern boy with the lessons this half; and it won't do, you know, for Staples to lose his pattern boy," he added, with a laugh.
But it was a good-natured laugh, and as he spoke, he drew his friend further away from the boys and their debate. "I should go at once," he added; "get it over as soon as you can, like a dose of medicine."