“But I have seen her eating them when they weren’t ripe. I believe that’s what is the matter.”
“I hope so, I have been a little afraid of scarlet fever from her symptoms.” Dr. Morton seemed relieved.
When he had gone, Marian turned to Frank. She had been recalling several things and putting them together.
“Frank Morton, I verily believe that sister of yours has been eating half-ripe cherries for a penance.”
“Penance? Penance for what?”
71“I don’t exactly know, but it has something to do with her running off to the Captain’s.”
“Well, if she’s as big a fool as all that, she deserves to have a stomach ache. Come, stop worrying.”
“But Frank, I’m afraid I’m the guilty one who suggested the idea to her. Goodness knows, I hadn’t the slightest intention of doing so.” Marian related the whole story.
“Well, Sis certainly gets queer notions into her head, but it may not be that at all. Anyhow, you can’t do anything to-night.”
A very pallid forlorn girl sat propped up in bed about noon the following day. The family, having discovered that it was nothing serious, and that she had probably brought it on by her own folly, were not sympathetic.