`I'm a great deal better for it, and ever so much obliged. I'm only afraid you are very tired talking to me; it was so peasant, I couldn't bear to stop,' said Laurie, gratefully.

`The doctor to see you, sir,' and the maid beckoned as she spoke.

`Would you mind if I left you for a minute? I suppose I must see him,' said Laurie.

`Don't mind me. I'm as happy as a cricket here,' answered Jo.

Laurie went away, and his guest amused herself in her own way. She was standing before a fine portrait of the old gentleman, when the door opened again, and without turning, she said decidedly, `I'm sure now that I shouldn't be afraid of him, for he's got kind eyes, though his mouth is grim, and he looks as if he had a tremendous will of his own. He isn't as handsome as my grandfather, but I like him.'

`Thank you, ma'am,' said a gruff voice behind her; and there, to her great dismay, stood old Mr. Laurence.

Poor Jo blushed till she couldn't blush any redder, and her heart began to beat uncomfortably fast as she thought what she had said. For a minute a wild desire to run away possessed her; but that was cowardly, and the girls would laugh at her; so she resolved to stay, and get out of the scrape if she could.

A second look showed her that the living eyes, under the bushy grey eyebrows,re kinder even than the painted ones; and there was a sly twinkle in them which lessened her fear a good deal. The gruff voice was gruffer than ever, as the old gentleman said abruptly, after that dreadful pause, `So you're not afraid of me, hey?'

`Not much, sir.'

`And you don't think me as handsome as your grandfather?'

`Not quite, sir.'

`And I've got a tremendous will, have I?'

`I only said I thought so.'

`But you like me, in spite of it?'

`Yes, I do, sir.'

That answer pleased the old gentleman; he gave a short laugh, shook hands with her, and, putting his fingers under her chin, turned up her face, examined it gravely, and let it go, saying, with a nod, `You've got your grandfather's spirit, if you haven't his face. He was a fine man, my dear; but, what is better, he was a brave and honest one, and I was proud to be his friend.'

`Thank you, sir'; and Jo was quite comfortable after that, for it suited her exactly.

`What have you been doing to this boy of mine, hey?' was the next question, sharply put.

`Only trying to be neighbourly, sir'; and Jo told how her visit came about.

`You think he needs cheering up a bit, do you?'

`Yes, sir; he seems a little lonely, and young folks would do him good, perhaps. We are only girls, but we should be glad to help if we could, for we don't forget the splendid Christmas present you sent us,' said Jo, eagerly.

`Tut, tut, tut! that was the boy's affair. How is the poor woman?'