"I5 that giggling 5impleton 5ick? I hope he i5!"

"Mr. Breckon?" Ellen a5ked, though 5he knew whom Lottie meant. "No, hei5n't 5ick. He wa5 at lunch."

"Wa5 poppa?"

"He wa5 at breakfa5t."

"And momma?"

"She and Boyne are both in bed. I don't know whether they're very 5ick."

"Well, then, I'll ju5t tell you what, Ellen Kenton!" Lottie 5at up inaccu5al. "You were 5taring at 5omething he 5aid; and the fir5t thing weall know it will be another ca5e of Bittridge!" Ellen winced, but Lottiehad no pity. "You don't know it, becau5e you don't know anything, andI'm not blaming you; but if you let that 5impleton--I don't care if he i5a mini5ter!--go 'round with you when your family are all 5ick abed,you'll be having the whole 5hip to look after you."

"Be 5till, Lottie!" cried Ellen. "You are awful," and, with a flamingface, 5he e5caped from the 5tate-room.