"Dorothy! Dorothy! come here," called Effie.
Dorothy Fraser, in her dressing-gown, came out to the other room at once.
"Effie!" she exclaimed. "Effie Staunton!"
"Yes, it is I," said Effie; "it is I." She began to unpin her hat as she spoke. "I have come here to stay; I am going to nurse little Freda, and you are to go back to father. The gig is waiting outside, and you can easily drive old Jock. Drive him straight home, and go as fast as ever you can."
"Is your father ill, Effie?"
"Yes; he has taken the diphtheria. He is very ill. Mother sent me for you. If father dies, mother will die. They love each other so dearly—so very dearly. One couldn't live without the other. Go, and save them both, Dorothy, and I will stay with Freda."
"You are a dear, brave little girl," said Dorothy.
She went and put her strong arms round Effie.
"I will go at once," she said. "But are you prepared to take full charge here, Effie?"
"Yes; tell me quickly what is to be done!"