If the old house had been infected with smallpox, it could not have been more vigorously scrubbed, aired, and refreshed.

Early as it was, every carpet was routed up, curtains pulled down, cushions banged, and glory holes turned out till not a speck of dust, a last year's fly, or stray straw could be found.

Then they all sat down and rested in such an immaculate mansion that one hardly dared to move for fear of destroying the shining order everywhere visible.
It was late in April before this was accomplished, and the necessary quarantine of the absentees well over.

The first mild days seemed to come early, so that Dr.Alec might return with safety from the journey which had so nearly been his last.

It was perfectly impossible to keep any member of the family away on that great occasion.