70 THE STBIKE AT SHAKE'S, 



*'Well, that's some eucouragement anyhow," said 

 Shane. "What are you doing for the horses?" 



"I'm just tratin' 'em like gintlemen. Pm doin' 

 unto tliim horses as I would have thim do unto me. I 

 ain't much of a scholar, and maybe not so good a 

 Christian as I ought to be, but I belave that's a good 

 rule to go by. Just trate 'em kindly an' dacently, an' 

 that's the whole sacret of it all. Just lave me alone 

 wid 'em, an' I'll have 'em at work again in a few 

 days." 



Edith came in shortly after Mike took his leave. 



" Good morning, Edie ; I believe I feel a little bet- 

 ter this morning," said Shane. * 



"I'm glad to 'hear that," said Edith. "I'll just 

 open the window so that you can see out. I'm afraid 

 mamma is going to be sick ; she is scarcely able to 

 be up." 



"AVhy, what is the matter with her?" inquired 

 Shane. He had been so engrossed by his own selfish 

 thoughts that he had not noticed that his wife was 

 wearing out under the increased duties put upon her 

 since his sickness. 



Sure enough Mrs. Shane was tkken sick that day, 

 and Towser carried the news to the barnyard. 



"Well now, that's bad," said Dobbin. " Some one 

 of us will have to go for a doctor." 



"I'll go," said Dick. 



" I hope they'll take me," said the sorrel. " I am 

 tired of staying at home, anyhow." 



Mike was called up to go for a physician. "Time 



