Grange Farm. 35

“T thought you would be glad of something
to eat,” said Aunt Mary, as she helped the
children to strawberries and cake; “for you
have had a drive since your breakfast, and I
know you are as early folks as we are, and for
that reason I expected you an hour ago. What
made you so late ?”

“We started early enough,’ replied Mr.
Summers, “but we stopped some time in
Hamley. These little people wanted to do
some shopping, and then we met poor Mrs.
Thompson, who seemed in great trouble about
her little boy. He is very ill, and she doesn’t
seem to think he will recover. He is her only
child, which of course makes it all the harder
for her to part with him. However, I trust it
is not quite so bad as she fears ; and I shall call
and see Dr. Hare on my way back, and see what
he thinks of the child’s state.”

“Poor little Johnny !” said Mrs. Marchwood ;

“T am sorry to hear such a bad account of
Cc