I have
her interest and yours truly at heart; and since I don't want to quarrel
with you again, we will say no more of your wife and family. If you have
quite finished, perhaps we might take a turn in the garden."
The rest of the evening passed quietly away. Edith was glad when the
time came to go to her room, only she so dreaded the morrow, that would
have to be passed in Aunt Rachel's company, without her father's
protecting presence.
Soon after breakfast in the morning the doctor had to say goodbye. It
was a hard parting for both father and daughter. Edith had never known
how dearly she loved that busy and often-anxious father till she was
called to let him go. As for the doctor, he was scarcely less moved, and
Miss Rachel had to hurry him away at last, or he would have lost the
train it was so important he should catch.
Somehow the doctor never could be spared from Winchcomb. There was no
other medical man for miles round, and people seemed to expect Dr.
Harley to work on from year's end to year's end, without ever needing
rest or recreation himself.
[Sidenote: A Close Examination]
As soon as they were left alone, Miss Rachel called Edith into the
parlour, and bidding her sit down, began a rigorous inquiry as to her
capabilities and accomplishments--whether she had been to school, or had
had a governess; whether she was well grounded in music, and had studied
drawing and languages; what she knew of plain and fancy needlework; if
her mother had made her begin to learn cookery--"as all young women
should," added Miss Rachel, sensibly enough.
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