I know Mamma thought so.'
'My dear, a mother can venture on wholesome neglect when a sister's
neglect is not wholesome. I am not accusing you of neglect, mind;
only you want experience and sympathy to judge of a thing with a
frame like Cherry's. Now, I will tell you what I want to do. I am
come to take her back with me, and get her treated by her kind doctor
for a month or so, and the sea air and rest will send her back, most
likely, in a much more cheery state.'
'Indeed!' cried Wilmet, startled; 'it is very good, but how could we
do without her? Mamma and the children! If she could only wait till
the holidays.'
'Let her only hear you say that, Wilmet, and it will do her more good
than anything.'
'What--that she is of use? Poor little thing, she tries to be; but if
Marilda could have had her way, and taken her instead of Alda, it
would have been much better for her and all. Ah! there's Felix. May I
call him in?'
Felix, dashing up to wash his hands, smooth his hair, and dress
himself for the reading-room work instead of the printing-office, had
much rather these operations had been performed before he was called
to the consultation in the nursery; but he agreed instantly and
solicitously, knowing much better than Wilmet what the dinners were
to Cherry, and talking of her much more tenderly.
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