CHAPTER XXI.
ALICE AND ADAH At Alice's request, Adah and Sam stayed altogether at Spring Bank, but Alice was the ruling power--Alice, the one whom Chloe and Claib consulted; one concerning the farm, and the other concerning the kitchen--Alice, to whom Aunt Eunice looked for counsel, and Densie for comfort--Alice, who remembered all the doctor's directions, taking the entire charge of Hugh's medicines herself--and Alice, who wrote to Mrs.
Worthington, apprising her of Hugh's serious illness.

They hoped he was not dangerous, she said, but he was very sick, and Mrs.Worthington would do well to come at once.

She did not mention 'Lina, but the idea never crossed her mind that a sister could stay away from choice when a brother was so ill; and it was with unfeigned surprise that she one morning saw Mrs.Worthington and Lulu alighting at the gate, but no 'Lina with them.
"She was so happy at Saratoga," Mrs.Worthington said, when a little over the first flurry of her arrival.

"So happy, too, with Mrs.Richards that she could not tear herself away, unless her mother should find Hugh positively dangerous, in which case she should, of course, come at once." This was the mother's charitable explanation, made with a bitter sigh as she recalled 'Lina's heartless anger when the letter was received, as if Hugh were to blame, as, indeed, 'Lina seemed to think he was.
Meantime Alice, in her own room, was reading 'Lina's note, containing a most glowing description of the delightful time she was having at Saratoga, and how hard it would be to leave.
"I know dear Hugh is in good hands," she wrote, "and it is so pleasant here that I really do want to stay a little longer.

Pray write to me just how Hugh is, and if I must come home.