Page:Margaret Sherwood--A Puritan in Bohemia.djvu/151

A Puritan Bohemia too, was pleased, but puzzled. Anne wondered why Howard had deserted her at this moment. She had not seen him for a week. It was Annabel who solved the mystery.

"Mr. Stanton's got measles," she said with an important air. "My little brother had 'em, and my mamma said, two weeks ago, that Mr. Stanton had sympathies of 'em."

"Measles!" gasped Anne.

"My mamma takes care of him. It's very hard work. Sometimes"—Annabel's eyes gleamed—"he's out of his head, an' then he talks about Miss Wistar. He called her a angel the other day."

There was no way of helping.

"I can't go to carry him quivering jellies on a tray, as young ladies do in English stories," said Anne lightly. "Think of that lofty head laid low by measles!"

She turned to her work. After three days of struggle, she put her brushes away. A great unrest possessed her.