Elsie’s state-room adjoined her brother’s.  She too had been roused by Ben’s knock and overheard a part of what passed between him and his young master.  Dinah also was listening.

“What dat dey say, Miss Elsie?” she queried in a startled tone, “Miss Louise sick?”

“I think that was what Master Edward said; but go to his door, Dinah, and ask.”

Edward came himself with his answer and bringing a second telegram; this time from their grandfather, saying the children were decidedly better, all the rest of the family well.

“Oh, what good news!” exclaimed Elsie.  “But poor Aunt Louise!  I wish we knew her exact condition.  Do you not think it must have been a sudden seizure?”

“Yes, of either illness or desire to remain behind.  Don’t let it worry you, sister dear.  You have already quite enough of anxiety to endure.”

“No,” she said, with a sweet, patient smile, “I am trying not to be anxious or troubled about anything, but to obey the sweet command, ‘casting all your care upon Him.’”

“‘For He careth for you,’” added Edward, completing the quotation.  “It is, as you say, a sweet command, most restful to those who obey it.  Have you slept?”

“Yes, I have had a long and very refreshing nap; still I have not recovered from my fatigue, and shall not leave my state-room for some time yet.”

“Let me send in your supper,” he said.  “I hope it will refresh you still more, and that after it you may feel equal to a turn on deck with me.  It will be moonlight, and if you wrap up well you will not find the air more than bracingly keen.”

“Thank you,” she said.  “It is altogether likely I shall find the exercise of a short promenade rather restful than otherwise, after being so long cramped up in the cars.  You are a dear, good brother to me, Ned,” she added, laying her hand affectionately on his arm as he sat on the edge of the berth close by her side.  “But how strange it seems that we two are starting off on this long voyage alone!”

“I’m so proud to be trusted to take care of you, Elsie,” he returned, bending over her and tenderly smoothing her luxuriant hair.  “I used to look up to you years ago, but now——­”

“You look down on me?” she interrupted sportively.  “No great feat, Master Ned, while I lie here.”

“Nor when we stand side by side,” he returned in the same tone, ’seeing I have grown to be a full head taller than you.  But truth compels me to acknowledge that I am your superior in nothing else except physical strength.”

“You might add knowledge of the world, you have had to rely on your own judgment so much oftener than I who have so seldom left mamma’s side.  Dear, dear mamma!  Oh, Ned, how long will it be before I see her again?”

She wept as she spoke, and Edward felt for the moment strongly inclined to join her.  But instead he tried to cheer her.

“We will hope Cousin Arthur may prescribe a sea voyage for grandpa and the children before long, and then we shall have the whole family joining us in Italy.”