There was but one child, a boy of fourteen, who was now away at school.

The doctor had readjusted the logs upon the andirons, and was just putting the tongs in their place when a maidservant came in.
"There's a boy here, sir," she said, "from Miss Panney.

She's sent for you in a hurry." In the same instant the doctor and his wife turned in their chairs and fixed their eyes upon the servant, but there was nothing remarkable about her; she had delivered her message and stood waiting.

The doctor's fists were clenched and there was a glitter in his eye.

He seemed on the point of saying something in a loud voice, but he changed his mind, and quietly said, "Tell the boy to come here," and turned back to the fire.
Then, when the girl had gone, he struck his fist upon his knee and ejaculated, "Confound Miss Panney!" "Harry!" exclaimed his wife, "you should not speak of your patients in that way, but I agree with you perfectly;" and then, addressing the boy, who had just entered, and who stood by the door, "Do you mean to say that there is anything serious the matter with Miss Panney ?" she said severely.