THE WEASELS OF HOLM-WOOD. 19

when out for a ramble in the woods, a branch of a tree on which
Miss Weasel had mounted in order to get nearer to young Linnet,
with whom she wished to be on intimate terms, broke suddenly
off, and the poor young lady was precipitated to the ground and
; sadly hurt. Her cries brought to her assistance her younger
brother Tom, who, as soon as he had helped her home, ran for
young Ferret, who had lately begun practice as a physician. When
the good young doctor came, he found Miss Weasel lyimg on the
sofa, looking very pale and very interesting. He felt her pulse,
looked at her tongue, and soon discovered that the lady was more
frightened than hurt. However, as he had not many patients,
he did not choose to tell all the truth, but prescribing a simple
remedy, he ordered her to keep very quiet, and promised to call
again on the next day. Whether it was that Miss Weasel had
been hurt more than her physician had thought, or whether there
were any other inducements, we cannot say; but young Ferret
thought it his duty to call at Holm-wood every morning, and
sometimes twice a day, for at least a month: and if any one could
have seen how frequently he felt Miss Weasel’s pulse, and how
anxiously he studied every expression of her face, he would have
set down Dr. Ferret as a very attentive at least, if not excellent
physician. |

When Miss Weasel became somewhat stronger, this good