“Be tender and cautious, Stukely, with that child.  He is a sapling that will not bear the rough wind.  Let him learn what he will—­rest assured, it is all he can.  His eagerness to learn will never fall short of your’s to teach.  He must be kindly encouraged, not frowned upon in his reverses; for who fights so hard against them, or deplores them more deeply than himself?  Poor, weak child, he is his own chastiser.”

“I will take care, sir.”

“Have you seen this coming on, Stukely?”

“With Charlton, sir?”

“No.  Miss Fairman’s indisposition.  For many weeks she has certainly improved in health.  I have remarked it, and I was taken by surprise this morning.  I should be easier had Mayhew seen her.”

“Let me fetch him in the morning, sir.  His presence will relieve you.  I will start early—­and bring him with me.”

“Well, if you are better, but certainly not otherwise.  I confess I should be pleased to talk with him.  But do not rise too early.  Get your breakfast first.  I will take the boys until you come back.”

This had been the object of the anxious father’s visit.  As soon as I had undertaken to meet his wish, he became more tranquil.  My mission was to be kept a secret.  The reason why a servant had not been employed, was the fear of causing alarm in the beloved patient.  Before Mr. Fairman left me, I was more than half persuaded that I myself had mistaken the cause of his daughter’s suffering; so agreeable is it, even against conviction, to discharge ourselves of blame.

The residence of Dr. Mayhew was about four miles distant from our village.  It was a fine brick house, as old as the oaks which stood before it, conferring upon a few acres of grass land the right to be regarded as a park.  The interior of the house was as substantial as the outside; both were as solid as the good doctor himself.  He was a man of independent property, a member of the University of Oxford, and a great stickler for old observances.  He received a fee from every man who was able to pay him for his services; and the poor might always receive at his door, at the cost of application only, medical advice and physic, and a few commodities much more acceptable than either.  He kept a good establishment, in the most interesting portion of which dwelt three decaying creatures, the youngest fourscore years of age and more.  They were an entail from his grandfather, and had faithfully served that ancestor for many years as coachman, housekeeper, and butler.  The father of Dr. Mayhew had availed himself of their integrity and experience until Time robbed them of the latter, and rendered the former a useless ornament; and dying, he bequeathed them, with the house and lands, to their present friend and patron.  There they sat in their own hall, royal servants every one, hanging to life by one small thread, which when it breaks for one must break for all.  They had little interest in the present world, to which the daily visit of the doctor, and that alone, connected them.  He never failed to pay it.  Unconscious of all else, they never failed to look for it.