CHAPTER XXI.
"Woes cluster; rare are solitary woes: They love a train, they tread each other's heel." YOUNG.
For a number of weeks events moved on their even course at Viamede; they were all well and happy, though Lulu's continued obstinacy caused most of them more or less mental disquietude.
She still remained at Oakdale, making no complaint to any one but Evelyn of her fare or accommodations, and was studious and well-behaved in every respect, except that she steadily refused to have anything whatever to do with Signor Foresti.
She had attended church regularly with the family, had seen them all occasionally on weekdays, but had not been once permitted to visit Viamede, Magnolia Hall, or the parsonage.
If either she or Mr.Dinsmore regretted having begun the struggle which now appeared so interminable, no one else was aware of the fact.
Grace had kept up her habit of driving over to Oakdale every morning and afternoon, and the pleasure of seeing her so often had helped Lulu greatly in the endurance of her exile, as had also her daily intercourse with Max, Evelyn, and Rosie.
But one morning in March they came without Grace, and all looking grave and troubled.
"Where's Gracie?
Why didn't she come ?" asked Lulu, with a vague feeling of uneasiness.
"She's sick," Max answered, trying to swallow a lump in his throat, and keep the tears from coming into his eyes; "and so is the baby, and the doctor--Cousin Dick Percival--says they both have the scarlet-fever in almost its worst form." Lulu, who knew something of the deadly nature of the disease, stood speechless with surprise and dismay; the other two girls were crying now.
Presently Lulu burst out vehemently, "I must go home! I _will_ go! It's the cruelest thing in the world to keep me away from my darling Gracie when she's so sick and may be going to--oh, I can't say it! I can't bear to think it!" and she began sobbing as if her heart would break.
Evelyn put an arm about her.
"Lu, dear Lu, don't be so distressed.

The doctor has not said that either case is hopeless; and they may both get well." "The dear baby, too!" sobbed Lulu; "oh I do love her, she is such a darling!" "Indeed she is," said Max, vainly trying to steady his tones; "and it's hard to see her suffer.

Gracie, too--she's so sweet and patient, and so good.

I heard some of the old servants talking together this morning about her, saying she was just like a little angel, and too good to live; and--and I'm afraid she is." He quite broke down with the last word.
"No, she ain't," cried Rosie; "she's just as good as they think her, but good children are not any more likely to die than bad ones.

Everybody that knew mamma when she was a child says she was as good as she could be, and see how long she has lived." "That's true, and I'm obliged to you for reminding me of it, Rosie," said Max, looking slightly relieved.
"But I must go home," repeated Lulu; "Gracie is sure to be wanting me, and I can't stay away from her." "No," the others said; "none of us are allowed to go into the room for fear of the contagion.