Darknefs and Light. 101

quite accounted for. Still the child was uneafy,
and would keep his eyes fhut; fo the Doctor
thought he muft try fomething, and he ufed fome
lotions common in fuch cafes; but, as they did
no good, the kind old gentleman, at Madeline’s
requeft, confented to fit by the little boy’s bed-
fide at night ; when, all at once, as he was care-
fully dabbing his eyes with rofewater, he perceived
that the child was faft afleep.

The Doétor was delighted, and went to his
mother, who was then with her hufband, and faid
that as Roderick had gone to fleep fo nicely, he
had no doubt that his eyes would be well when he
awoke in the morning, and fo he took his leave,
for he had other patients to vifit.

It was then between twelve and one o’clock,
and Lady Madeline, much comforted in heart,
went to bed. At an early hour next morning,
however, fhe went to Roderick’s bedfide, and per-
ceived he was juft waking.

To the queftion of ‘How are you, my dar-
ling?” his cheerful joyous voice made an{wer,
“ Oh, quite well, Mamma, and I’ve fuch a funny
dream to tell you, and my eyes don’t hurt me a
bit, not a bit! but ’m afraid to open them for
fear they fhould. I can tell you fomething fo
funny the Doétor faid laft night, Mamma.” “ Ne-
ver mind about the doétor, you rogue,” cried
Madeline, “I fee you are all right, only juft open
your dear old eyes, that I may tell Papa I have
feen them when I go back to drefs.”