“I’m glad you are still praying for me, Cecily, for you can’t trust the measles.  And I’m glad you’re keeping you know what for me.  I don’t believe anything will happen to you if you do take the measles; but if anything does I’d like that little red book of yours, The Safe Compass, just to remember you by.  It’s such a good book to read on Sundays.  It is interesting and religious, too.  So is the Bible.  I hadn’t quite finished the Bible before I took the measles, but ma is reading the last chapters to me.  There’s an awful lot in that book.  I can’t understand the whole of it, since I’m only a hired boy, but some parts are real easy.

“I’m awful glad you have such a good opinion of me.  I don’t deserve it, but after this I’ll try to.  I can’t tell you how I feel about all your kindness.  I’m like the fellow the Story Girl wrote about who couldn’t get it out.  I have the picture the Story Girl gave me for my sermon on the wall at the foot of my bed.  I like to look at it, it looks so much like Aunt Jane.

“Felix, I’ve given up praying that I’d be the only one to eat the bitter apples, and I’ll never pray for anything like that again.  It was a horrid mean prayer.  I didn’t know it then, but after the measles struck in I found out it was.  Aunt Jane wouldn’t have liked it.  After this I’m going to pray prayers I needn’t be ashamed of.

“Sara Ray, I don’t know what it feels like to be going to die because I didn’t know I was going to die till I got better.  Mother says I was luny most of the time after they struck in.  It was just because they struck in I was luny.  I ain’t luny naturally, Felicity.  I will do what you asked in your postscript, Sara, although it will be hard.

“I’m glad Peg Bowen didn’t catch you, Dan.  Maybe she bewitched me that night we were at her place, and that is why the measles struck in.  I’m awful glad Mr. King is going to leave the potato stalks until I get well, and I’m obliged to the Story Girl for coaxing him.  I guess she will find out about Alice yet.  There were some parts of her letter I couldn’t see through, but when the measles strike in, they leave you stupid for a spell.  Anyhow, it was a fine letter, and they were all fine, and I’m awful glad I have so many nice friends, even if I am only a hired boy.  Perhaps I’d never have found it out if the measles hadn’t struck in.  So I’m glad they did but I hope they never will again. 
             “Your obedient servant,
                                 “PETER CRAIG.”

CHAPTER XXXI.  ON THE EDGE OF LIGHT AND DARK

We celebrated the November day when Peter was permitted to rejoin us by a picnic in the orchard.  Sara Ray was also allowed to come, under protest; and her joy over being among us once more was almost pathetic.  She and Cecily cried in one another’s arms as if they had been parted for years.