I shall not keep Margaret waiting for her breakfast, I shall take it up." The morning was tiresome; though Dr.May had two regular days for seeing poor people at his house, he was too good-natured to keep strictly to them, and this day, as Flora had predicted, there was a procession of them not soon got rid of, even by his rapid queries and the talismanic figures made by his left hand on scraps of paper, with which he sent them off to the infirmary.

Ethel tried to read; the children lingered about; it was a trial of temper to all but Tom, who obtained Richard's attention to his lessons.

He liked to say them to his brother, and was an incentive to learn them quickly, that none might remain for Miss Winter when Richard went out with his father.

If mamma had been there, she would have had prayers; but now no one had authority enough, though they did at last even finish breakfast.

Just as the gig came to the door, Dr.May dismissed his last patient, rang the bell in haste, and as soon as prayers were over, declared he had an appointment, and had no time to eat.