“I dare say Roswell Gardner would be glad to go to help a fellow-creature who is suffering. He would not think of demanding any pay.”

“Yes, that is true.  I will say this for Gar’ner, that he is as reasonable a young man, when he does an odd job, as any one I know.  I like to employ him.”

Mary understood this very well.  It amounted to neither more nor less, than the deacon’s perfect consciousness that the youth had, again and again, given him his time and his services gratuitously; and that too, more than once, under circumstances when it would have been quite proper that he should look for a remuneration.  A slight colour stole over the face of the niece, as memory recalled to her mind these different occasions.  Was that sensitive blush owing to her perceiving the besetting weakness of one who stood in the light of a parent to her, and towards whom she endeavoured to feel the affection of a child?  We shall not gainsay this, so far as a portion of the feeling which produced that blush was concerned; but, certain it is, that the thought that Roswell had exerted himself to oblige her uncle, obtruded itself somewhat vividly among her other recollections.

“Well, sir,” the niece resumed, after another brief pause, “we can send for Roswell, if you think it best, and ask him to do the poor man this act of kindness.”

“Your messengers after doctors are always in such a hurry!  I dare say, Gar’ner would think it necessary to hire a horse to cross Shelter Island, and then perhaps a boat to get across to the Harbour.  If no boat was to be found, it might be another horse to gallop away round the head of the Bay.  Why, five dollars would scarce meet the cost of such a race!”

“If five dollars were needed, Roswell would pay them out of his own pocket, rather than ask another to assist him in doing an act of charity.  But, no horse will be necessary; the whale-boat is at the wharf, and is ready for use, at any moment.”

“True, I had forgotten the whale-boat.  If that is home, the doctor might be brought across at a reasonable rate; especially if Gar’ner will volunteer.  I dare say Daggett’s effects will pay the bill for attendance, since they have answered, as yet, to meet the Widow White’s charges.  As I live, here comes Gar’ner, at this moment, and just as we want him.”

“I knew of no other to ask to cross the bays, sir, and sent for Roswell before you returned.  Had you not got back, as you did, I should have taken on myself the duty of sending for the doctor.”

“In which case, girl, you would have made yourself liable.  I have too many demands on my means, to be scattering dollars broadcast.  But, here is Gar’ner, and I dare say all will be made right.”