She looked up smiling, and asked where he had been, but it was vain to try to keep him from reading her face.

He saw in an instant that something was amiss, and drew from her a confession that her back was aching a little.

He knew she might have said a great deal--she was not in a comfortable position--she must be moved.

She shook her head--she had rather wait--there was a dread of being again lifted by Ethel that she could not entirely hide.

Ethel was distressed, Dr.May was angry, and, no wonder, when he saw Margaret suffer, felt his own inability to help, missed her who had been wont to take all care from his hands, and was vexed to see a tall strong girl of fifteen, with the full use of both arms, and plenty of sense, incapable of giving any assistance, and only doing harm by trying.
"It is of no use," said he.