From his patient's window, Doctor Ralph observed the enemy in full retreat, and laughed gleefully. "What is funny?" queried Araminta, She had been greatly distressed by the recitative in the back bedroom and her cheeks were flushed with fever.
"I was just laughing," said Doctor Ralph, "because your aunt has gone home and is never coming back here any more."
"Oh, Doctor Ralph! Isn't she?" There was alarm in Araminta's voice, but her grey eyes were shining.
"Never any more," he assured her, in a satisfied tone. "How long have you lived with Aunt Hitty?"
"Ever since I was a baby."
"H—m! And how old are you now?"
"Almost nineteen."
"Where did you go to school?"
"I didn't go to school. Aunt Hitty taught me, at home."
"Didn't you ever have anybody to play with?"