Methinks, having escaped all peril heretofore, I may be accounted safe now." This was Joseph's eager petition as he rushed homewards after a stroll in the direction of the town one evening early in October.
There had been rumours of an improvement in the health of the city for perhaps ten days now, notwithstanding the fearful mortality during the greater part of September.

Therefore were the weekly bills most eagerly looked for, and when it was ascertained that the mortality had diminished by two thousand (when, from the number of sick, it might well have risen by that same amount), it did indeed seem as though the worst were over; and great was the joy which Joseph's news brought to those within the walls of that cottage home.
Yet Mary Harmer was wise and cautious in the answer she gave to the eager boy.
"Wait yet one week longer, Joseph; for we may not presume upon God's goodness and mercy, and adventure ourselves without cause into danger.

The city has been fearfully ravaged of late.

The very air seems to have been poisoned and tainted, and there are streets and lanes which, they say, it is even now death to enter.

Therefore wait yet another week, and then we will consider what is safe to be done.