"Perhaps so, by and by. Her sister, Hepsey Maynard, told me she was very fond of them, and that they agreed well with her."
"You have made a long call," remarked grandma, as they entered. "I suppose you waited to see Kitty dressed in her new gown."
"No, mother, she didn't know me to-day. I just hung it on a hook in the closet and said nothing about it."
"Is she worse than usual?"
"I have never seen her so dreadfully convulsed. The doctor says she can't endure it long. He has decided to try the effect of a new method of treatment."
Maurice soon ran out to improve his holiday by visiting his favorite haunts around the farm. Ponto, the old dog, was sunning himself in front of his comfortable house, and came lazily forward, blinking his eyes, to meet the little fellow. It was evident, even to the boy, that his days for frolic and fun were over. After a few loving pats and kind words:
"Poor Ponto! Good fellow!" Maurice ran on toward the barn.
Here he found plenty to amuse him. There were a couple of kids with their anxious mother bleating because they were out of her sight. Maurice laughed heartily as he watched their manœuvres. The old goat was tied to a ring in the stall; but the kids, being free to run where they liked, kept her worrying for their safety by hiding beyond the high enclosure, or creeping over a huge pile of straw bedding.
The dinner bell rang twice before he heard it. He could scarcely believe the morning had passed away.
"I do like holidays so much," he exclaimed. "I wish, mamma, you'd let me wait till next Monday before I begin my lessons."