Part 49 (1/2)
”I'll tell you what I think, Miss Priscilla,” said the doctor, ”though I am sorry to do it. The fact is, the air here is altogether too bracing for your sister. She will have to go to some inland town, where the east winds are not felt.”
”Then I must go, too,” said Miss Priscilla. ”We have lived together from girlhood, and we cannot be separated.”
”I supposed you would be unwilling to leave her, so I am afraid we must make up our minds to lose you both.”
”Do you think, doctor, that Sophia will, by and by, be strong enough to return here?”
”I am afraid not. The effects of lung fever are always felt for a long time. She will improve, no doubt, but a return to this harsh air would, I fear, bring back her old trouble.”
”I asked because I wanted to know whether it would be best to keep this place. After what you have told me, I shall try to sell it.”
”I am truly sorry, Miss Priscilla.”
”So am I, Dr. Townley. I don't expect any place will seem so much like home as this.”
”Have you any particular place that you think of going to?”
”Yes; I have a niece married in a small town near Syracuse, New York State. They don't have east winds there. I'll get Priscilla (she's named after me) to hunt up a cottage that we can live in, and move right out there. I suppose we'd better go soon?”
”Better go at once. Weak lungs must be humored.”
”Then I'll write to Priscilla to get me a boarding house, and we'll start next week.”
There was one person whom this removal was likely to affect seriously, and this was our young hero.
”I hope Andy'll be able to get a place,” said Priscilla, after she had communicated the doctor's orders to her sister.
”Just so, Priscilla. He's a good boy.”
”I will give him a good recommendation.”
”Just so. Does he know it?”
”No. I will call him in and tell him, so that he can be looking out for another position.”
”Just so.”
Andy answered the call of Miss Priscilla. He had been sawing wood, and there was sawdust in his sleeves.
”How long have you been with us, Andy?” asked his mistress.
”Over a year, ma'am.”
”I wish I could keep you for a year to come.”
”Can't you?” asked Andy, startled.
”No, Andy.”
”What's the matter, Miss Priscilla? Have I done anything wrong?”