Neither spoke again for some moments, then the mother said, “Vi, dearest, there is nothing more conducive to cheerfulness at such a time as this than being fully employed.  So I ask you to take charge of Rosie and Walter for a few hours.  They are not yet well enough for tasks or for out door sports, but need to be amused.  And your grandpa and grandma want me to drive with them to the Laurels and Roselands.”

“Yes, do go, mamma, and try to enjoy yourself.  You have seen so little of Aunt Adelaide since she came, or of Aunt Rosie, since the sickness began with her children and ours.  Thank you for your trust, I shall do my best,” Violet said with cheerful alacrity.  “Ah, the recovery of the darlings is one of the many mercies we have to be thankful for!”

“Yes, Vi, and my heart is full of joy and gratitude to the Great Physician.”

At Roselands Mrs. Conly still lay helpless on her couch, her condition having changed very slightly for the better; she could now at times, with great effort, speak a word or two, but friends and physicians had scarcely a hope of any further improvement; she might live on thus for years, or another stroke might at any moment bring the end.

Cut off from all other means of communicating her thoughts and feelings, she could show them only by the expression of her countenance, which was sullen, fierce, despairing, piteous by turns.

She had the best of care and nursing from her sisters, her sons, and her old mammy, assisted occasionally by other friends and relatives, and could not fail to read in their faces and the tones of their voices tender pity and sympathy for her in her sore affliction.

They could not tell whether she understood all that was said to her, but hoping that she did, spoke often to her of the loving Saviour and tried to lead her to Him.

Hitherto the Ion friends had not been able to be with her a great deal, but it had not been necessary, as Adelaide was still at Roselands.

She, however, expected soon to return to her own home, and there would then be greater need of their services; therefore there was double reason for thankfulness for the restoration to health of the little ones at Ion and the Laurels; releasing, as it did, both Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla from the cares and labors which had occupied them for some weeks past.

The latter gave expression to that thought while driving to the Laurels with her father and his wife, adding, “I can now hold myself in readiness to take Aunt Adelaide’s place at any moment.”

“Not with my consent,” said Mr. Dinsmore emphatically; “if you consider yourself at all under my authority you will take a week at least of entire rest and relaxation.”

She looked at him with her own sweet smile, full of filial love and reverence, and putting her hand in his, said, “Yes, my dear father, that is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I can remember.  Ah, it is often very restful to me just to resign myself to your wise, loving guidance and control!”