'Effie,' he said, 'father wants you to take this to Mrs Gilman's when
you go, it is for her little James, and I--'

'I am not going to-day, Harry.'

'Can't you go? Oh do! don't mind the book! you can read it another
time.'

'So I can go to Mrs Gilman's another time.'

'Oh, but the medicine, Effie.'

'Can't you take it as well as I? It is too bad for me to have to be
running there all the time.' It was very unusual for Effie to speak so
peevishly, but Harry was in a very happy mood, so he merely exclaimed,
'Why, Effie!' and glanced at the book as much as to say, 'did you learn
it there!' Effie saw the glance, and ashamed of her ill nature said, 'Oh
it is such a good story, Harry! but if you can't go to Mrs Gilman's, why
not send a servant?'

'Father said some of _us_ ought to go; so do, Effie, just put up your
book for this once. The medicine is to prevent the convulsions that
frightened us so yesterday, but father is going out into the country (it
is delightful sleighing!) and he says I may go. You know it isn't every
day I can get a sleigh-ride, Effie.' And the delighted boy gave his
sister such a very hearty kiss that she could not forbear answering good
humouredly, especially as she had some suspicion that she had not spoken
pleasantly at first, 'Well, I will go, Harry, but don't hinder me now, I
shall get through the chapter in a few minutes.' 'Well, don't forget,
and when I come back I will tell you about all I see.'