Nobody

"No, not a farthing. Seriously, don't you think we might mend ourquarters?"

"You can," said Tom. "Of course I can't go while Mrs. Wishart is sick.

I can't leave those two women alone here to take care of themselves.

You can take Julia and my mother away, where you like."

"And a good riddance," muttered Lenox, as the other ran down the stepsand went off.

"He won't stir," said Julia. "You see how right I was."

"Are you sure about it?"

"Why, of course I am! Quite sure. What are you thinking about?"

"Just wondering whether you might have made a mistake."

"A mistake! How? I don't make mistakes."

"That's pleasant doctrine! But I am not so certain. I have beenthinking whether Tom is likely ever to get anything better."

"Than this girl? George, don't you think he deserves somethingbetter? My brother? What are you thinking of?"

"Tom has got an enormous fancy for her; I can see that. It's not playwith him. And upon my honour, Julia, I do not think she would do anything to wear off the fancy."

"Not if she could help it!" returned Julia scornfully.

"She isn't a bit of a flirt."

"You think that is a recommendation? Men like flirts. This girl don'tknow how, that is all."

"I do not believe she knows how to do anything wrong."

"Now do set up a discourse in praise of virtue! What if she don't?

That's nothing to the purpose. I want Tom to go into political life."

"A virtuous wife wouldn't hurt him there."

"And an ignorant, country-bred, untrained woman wouldn't help him, would she?"

"Tom will never want help in political life, for he will never go intoit. Well, I have said my say, and resign myself to Appledore for twoweeks longer. Only, mind you, I question if Tom will ever get anythingas good again in the shape of a wife, as you are keeping him from now.It is something of a responsibility to play Providence."

The situation therefore remained unchanged for several days more. Mrs.Wishart needed constant attention, and had it; and nobody else saw Loisfor more than the merest snatches of time. I think Lois made thesemoments as short as she could. Tom was in despair, but stuck to hispost and his determination; and with sighs and groans his mother andsister held fast to theirs. The hotel at Appledore made a good thing ofit.

Then one day Tom was lounging on the piazza at the time of thesteamer's coming in from Portsmouth; and in a short time thereafter anew guest was seen advancing towards the hotel. Tom gave her a glanceor two; he needed no more. She was middle-aged, plain, and evidentlynot from that quarter of the world where Mr. Tom Caruthers was known.Neatly dressed, however, and coming with an alert, business step overthe grass, and so she mounted to the piazza. There she made straightfor Tom, who was the only person visible.

"Is this the place where a lady is lying sick and another lady istendin' her?"

"That is the case here," said Tom politely. "Miss Lothrop isattending upon a sick friend in this house."

"That's it – Miss Lothrop. I'm her aunt. How's the sick lady? Dangerous?"

"Not at all, I should say," returned Tom; "but Miss Lothrop is verymuch confined with her. She will be very glad to see you, I have nodoubt. Allow me to see about your room." And so saying, he would haverelieved the new comer of a heavy handbag.

"Never mind," she said, holding fast. "You're very obliging – but whenI'm away from home I always hold fast to whatever I've got; and I'll goto Miss Lothrop's room. Are there more folks in the house?"

"Certainly. Several. This way – I will show you."

"Then I s'pose there's plenty to help nurse, and they have no call forme?"

"I think Miss Lothrop has done the most of the nursing. Your comingwill set her a little more at liberty. She has been very much confinedwith her sick friend."

"What have the other folks been about?"

"Not helping much, I am afraid. And of course a man is at adisadvantage at such a time."

"Are they all men?" inquired Mrs. Marx suddenly.

"No – I was thinking of my own case. I would have been very glad to beuseful."

"O!" said the lady. "That's the sort o' world we live in; most of itain't good for much when it comes to the pinch. Thank you – muchobliged."

Tom had guided her up-stairs and along a gallery, and now indicated thedoor of Lois's room. Lois was quite as glad to see her aunt as Tom hadsupposed she would be.

"Aunty! – Whatever has brought you here, to the Isles of Shoals?"

"Not to see the Isles, you may bet. I've come to look after you."

"Why, I'm well enough. But it's very good of you."

"No, it ain't, for I wanted an excuse to see what the place is like.You haven't grown thin yet. What's all the folks about, that they letyou do all the nursing?"

"O, it comes to me naturally, being with Mrs. Wishart. Who should doit?"

"To be sure," said Mrs. Marx; "who should do it? Most folks are good atkeepin' out o' the way when they are wanted. There's one clever chap inthe house – he showed me the way up here; who's he?"

"Fair hair?"

"Yes, and curly. A handsome fellow. And he knows you."

"O, they all know me by this time."

"This one particularly?"

"Well – I knew him in New York."

"I see! What's the matter with this sick woman?"