Now don't be
alarmed, for there is positively no danger, if you go this
afternoon. But I can't risk your staying an hour longer than is
necessary. Nora will help you pack your things. And I'm going to
send you off right after lunch."
After luncheon the doctor came again, and Mrs. Perry went off to
confer with him.
"Excuse me," said Kit Cameron, as his sister left the room, "I must
stand by Lora, and I want to find out from the doctor if there is
really any danger. Perhaps my sister's fears are exaggerated."
It was nearly half an hour before Kit came back, and then he looked
extremely serious.
"I have bad news for you," he said; "Babette's illness is
diphtheria,--a severe case."
"Oh, the poor girl!" said Patty, with impulsive sympathy.
"Yes, indeed, little Babette is pretty sick. And, too, it's awfully
hard on Lora. But that isn't all of it."
"What else?" said Marie, breathless with suspense.
"I hardly know how to tell you," and Cameron's face was very
troubled. "But I suppose the best way is to tell you straight out.
The truth is, we are all quarantined. We can't go away from here."
"Quarantined!" cried Patty, who knew that this meant several weeks'
imprisonment; "oh, NO!"
"Yes," and Kit looked at her with pained eyes; "can you ever forgive
me, Miss Fairfield, for bringing you here? But of course I could not
foresee this awful climax to our pleasant party.
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