\"Oh！AuntBoynton！\"criedtheboy，\"IlovemynameafterI’veheardaboutthealmondrod！
Aren’tyouproudthatit’sUncle’snamethatwaswrittenontheonethatblossomed？\"
Heturnedswiftlytofindthathisaunt’sknittinghadslippedonthefloor；hernervelesshandsdroopedbyhersideasiftherewerenolifeinthem，andherheadhadfallenagainstthebackofherchair。Theboywasparalyzedwithfearatthesightofherclosedeyesandthedeathlypallorofherface。Hehadneverseenherlikethisbefore，andIvorywasaway。Heflewforabottleofspirit，alwayskeptinthekitchencupboardforemergencies，andthrowingwoodonthefireinpassing，heswungthecranesothatthetea—kettlewasovertheflame。Heknewonlythehumbleremediesthathehadseenusedhereorthereinillness，andtriedthemtimidly，prayingeverymomentthathemighthearIvory’sstep。Hewarmedasoapstoneintheembers，andtakingoffMrs。Boynton’sshoes，putitunderhercoldfeet。Hechafedherhandsandgentlypouredaspoonfulofbrandybetweenherpalelips。Thensprinklingcamphoronahandkerchiefheheldittohernostrilsandtohisjoyshestirredinherchair；beforemanyminutesherlidsfluttered，herlipsmoved，andsheputherhandtoherheart。
\"Areyoubetter，Auntdear？\"Rodaskedinaverywaveringandtearfulvoice。
Shedidnotanswer；sheonlyopenedhereyesandlookedathim。