Doctor Campbell smiled a queer little smile which at once set Marion to thinking whether she had said anything which her uncle could think silly.
"If you were burdened with any great trouble, you would find, my dear, that you could not afford to be depressed. Really afflicted people are seldom what is called low spirited. They cannot afford it. Depression of spirits properly so called usually comes from derangement of the liver."
"Just like a doctor," thought Marion. "Don't you mean to go down to the meeting, Uncle Duncan?" she asked, aloud. "Mrs. Parmalee expects you at least to tea, you know."
"Mrs. Parmalee must excuse me," answered the doctor; "I think this afternoon will be the turning-point with my patient, and I do not like to leave her."
"Is Uncle Duncan always so much interested in his patients?" asked Marion of her aunt as they walked down toward the village.
"Why, hardly," answered Mrs. Campbell, smiling. "If, for instance, I had a severe cold in my head, I should hardly expect the doctor to stay at home for me. He is naturally much interested for Therese, both because it is a remarkable case and because she is an unusually bright and interesting girl placed in very unhappy circumstances. I suppose Duncan would do his duty by a patient in any case, but you can hardly expect him to feel exactly the same amount of personal interest for them all."
Marion said no more, but walked on, considering whether she would not have the heiress of McGregor deserted by all her friends and left to the care of strangers in a brain fever, or whether a lingering consumption would not be more interesting.
When they arrived at the parsonage, they found the roomy parlours filled to overflowing. All the district school girls were present. Even Matty McRae had not been able to keep to her resolution of staying away, though she had done all the mischief in her power by repeating the story of Marion's watch to every one she could get to listen to her. Almost all the girls belonging to the missionary society had brought their work, and there was a great deal of talk going on, which ceased on the entrance of Mrs. Campbell and Marion.
Mrs. Campbell went round among the girls, speaking to those she knew and admiring the work, some of which was indeed remarkably pretty.
"How is Therese to-day?" asked Kitty as soon as she could get hold of Marion.