"I think I am well enough to go out to-day," said Lancie, wistfully, as he looked from his brothers, now settled at the table with their books, to the window, through which fell a ray of pale sunshine. "Will you ask mother what she thinks, Dora?"
As he felt equal to the exertion, Mrs. Grainger thought the fresh air would do him good, and accordingly, after being well wrapped up, he went out with his sisters.
But he had not gone the length of the street before he was tired, and said he must return. Dora was pained at the ring of disappointment and weariness she detected in his voice, and telling Olive and Lottie not to go out of the street until she had joined them again, she went back with him.
"Oh, Lancie!" she said. "How I wish we could afford to give you a ride in a bath chair sometimes, as we used to do before father had to pay all that money for that horrible man."
"Never mind," said Lancie, trying to look cheerful, though he felt just the reverse, "we shall be out of debt after a while. And who knows whether long before then you mayn't be able to earn some money? If so, I am sure I should get my rides."
"If only I could!" exclaimed Dora. "Whatever put the idea into your head? Oh, Lancie! Can't you think of some thing I could do!"
"I only said it because I knew it would please you," he said, smiling.
"Yes, of course, I know that; but couldn't I do it!"
"I'm afraid you can only dream about it yet awhile. If it's going to make you unhappy, I shall wish I'd never said such a silly thing."
"Make me unhappy? No indeed it shall not. But, Lancie, you've put the thought in my head and the longing in my heart, and it won't be for want of trying if I do not devise some plan by which to earn money."