“Yes’m, suppah’s on de table, an’ I’s come to set yere and ’tend to you uns while Miss Eva gwine eat wif de res’ of de folks,” said a neatly dressed, pleasant-faced, elderly coloured woman, who had entered the room just in time to hear the query in regard to the bell.  “But, missus, Miss Elsie she tole me for to ax you could you take somethin’ mo’?”

“She says Aunt Elsie wants to know could you eat something more, mother dear?” explained Eva, seeing a puzzled look on her mother’s face.

“Oh, no! that excellent broth fully satisfied my appetite,” replied Laura.  “Go and get your supper, Eva, child, but come back when you have finished; for we have been so long separated that now I can hardly bear to have you out of my sight.”

“Oh, mother, how sweet to hear you say that!” exclaimed Evelyn, bending down to bestow another ardent caress upon her newly restored parent.  “Indeed, I shall not stay away a moment longer than necessary.”

The new arrival and her sad condition were the principal topics of conversation at the table.

“I am so glad we have such a good doctor in Cousin Arthur,” said Evelyn.  “I hope he can cure mamma’s cough.  I wish the weather was such that we could reasonably ask him to come and see her to-night,” she added with a sigh.

“Yes,” said her uncle, “but as it is so bad I think we will just give him a full account of her symptoms and ask his advice through the telephone.  Then he will tell us what would better be done to-night, and call in to see her to-morrow morning.”

The ladies all agreed that that would be the better plan and it was presently carried out.  The doctor would have come at once, in spite of the storm, had it seemed necessary, but from the account given he deemed it not so.

“I will come directly after breakfast to-morrow morning,” he concluded, after giving his advice in regard to what should be done immediately.

“That is satisfactory; and now I will go at once to mamma and carry out his directions for to-night,” said Evelyn.

“Remembering that we are all ready to assist in any and every possible way,” added her uncle, smiling kindly upon her.

“Yes, indeed!” said Grandma Elsie; “and you must not hesitate to call upon me if you need help.”

“No, no, mother dear.  I put my veto upon that!” exclaimed Mrs. Leland.  “You are not a really old-looking woman yet, but are not as vigorous as you were some years ago, and I cannot afford to let you run any risk of diminishing your stock of health and strength by loss of sleep or over-exertion.  Call upon me, Eva, should you need any assistance.”

“Very well, daughter, I shall not insist upon the privilege of losing sleep,” returned Grandma Elsie with a smile, “but may perhaps be permitted to make myself slightly useful during the day.”

“Yes, slightly, mother dear, and at such time as you would not be otherwise improving by taking needed rest or recreation,” Mrs. Leland replied as she hastened away with Eva, with the purpose to make sure that her newly arrived guest lacked for nothing which she could provide.