“You must excuse my not rising,” said Mrs. Bird, for that was the lady’s name; “it is rather a difficulty for me to get up and down often—­so,” continued she, with a smile, “you must excuse my seeming rudeness.”

Mrs. Ellis answered, that any apology was entirely unnecessary, and begged she would keep her seat.  “I’ve come,” said Mrs. Bird, “to pay your little man a visit.  I was so much pleased with the manner in which he recited his exercises on the day of examination, that I promised him a book, and on going to the school to present it, I heard of his unfortunate accident.  He looks very much changed—­he has had a very severe time, I presume?”

“Yes, a very severe one.  We had almost given him over, but it pleased God to restore him,” replied Mrs. Ellis, in a thankful tone.  “He is very weak yet,” she continued, “and it will be a long time before he is entirely recovered.”

“Who is your physician?” asked Mrs. Bird.

“Doctor Burdett,” was the reply; “he has been our physician for years, and is a very kind friend of our family.”

“And of mine, too,” rejoined Mrs. Bird; “he visits my house every summer.  What does he think of the arm?” she asked.

“He thinks in time it will be as strong as ever, and recommends sending Charlie into the country for the summer; but,” said Mrs. Ellis, “we are quite at a loss where to send him.”

“Oh! let me take him,” said Mrs. Bird—­“I should be delighted to have him.  I’ve got a beautiful place—­he can have a horse to ride, and there are wide fields to scamper over!  Only let me have him, and I’ll guarantee to restore him to health in a short time.”

“You’re very kind,” replied Mrs. Ellis—­“I’m afraid he would only be a burthen to you—­be a great deal of trouble, and be able to do but little work.”

“Work!  Why, dear woman,” replied Mrs. Bird, with some astonishment, “I don’t want him to work—­I’ve plenty of servants; I only want him to enjoy himself, and gather as much strength as possible.  Come, make up your mind to let him go with me, and I’ll send him home as stout as I am.”

At the bare idea of Charlie’s being brought to such a state of obesity, Kinch, who, during the interview, had been in the back part of the room, making all manner of faces, was obliged to leave the apartment, to prevent a serious explosion of laughter, and after their visitor had departed he was found rolling about the floor in a tempest of mirth.

After considerable conversation relative to the project, Mrs. Bird took her leave, promising to call soon again, and advising Mrs. Ellis to accept her offer.  Mrs. Ellis consulted Dr. Burdett, who pronounced it a most fortunate circumstance, and said the boy could not be in better hands; and as Charlie appeared nothing loth, it was decided he should go to Warmouth, to the great grief of Kinch, who thought it a most unheard-of proceeding, and he regarded Mrs. Bird thenceforth as his personal enemy, and a wilful disturber of his peace.