My sister is sick and her husband is away, and she's sent
for me. I'm not able to do nursing--I'm not strong enough--but I don't
see but that I must go."
"I'm very sorry your sister is ill," said Charlotte. "Tell me about
her."
Mrs. Peyton told at length. "And what I'm to do with the children," she
said, mournfully, "I don't know. Sister doesn't want them to come. But
here I'm away up North and sister's out West, and the children couldn't
go home alone. Besides, there's nowhere for them to go. I am their only
home. Dear, dear, what shall I do?"
The front door-bell, ringing sharply, sent Charlotte down-stairs. At
this moment she saw her husband coming up the street in his runabout.
When Doctor Churchill ran into his office after a case of instruments he
had forgotten, his wife cast herself into his arms, in such a state of
emotion that he held her close, bewildered.
"What on earth is it, dear?" he asked. "Are you laughing or crying?
Here, let me see your face."
"O Andy"--Charlotte would not let her face be seen--"it's Cousin Lula!
She's--she's--oh, she's--_going away_!"
Churchill burst into smothered laughter.
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