Finding her father so much better, Mrs.Burton betook herself to bed at noon for the first real untroubled rest she had enjoyed for many days.

The boys were stretched in luxurious idleness before the glowing fire in the kitchen, and Katherine was in charge of the sickroom.

She was half-asleep herself; the place was so warm and her father lay in such a restful quiet.

It had been so terrible all the week because no rest had seemed possible to him.

But since last night his symptoms had changed, and now he lay quietly dozing, only rousing to take nourishment.