Madcap Miss by Joan Smith

Whewett, I think I am having a heart attack. If I die, use my pay to see I get a decent Christian burial. My blood will be on your hands. ”
    “ My day has been as bad. No nag at the inn. I have carried Dobbin back from the west acres. How did the Bible quiz go? ”
    “ Short, ” she said, still panting, “ I took your advice. If you need help in managing your stables, I can tell you exactly what ration of feed you should be giving your cattle and anything else you want to know. ”
    “ Did you get a good lunch? ”
    “ A coddled egg. And I shan ’ t have the strength to lift a fork at dinner. ”
    “ I ’ ll feed you. ”
    “ Good. I ’ ll need all my energy for this strenuous work, which you foolish grownups call play. I got in some supplies for tonight ’ s incarceration. ”
    “ So did I. I brought you a meal from the inn. My groom will smuggle it to my valet, who will smuggle it to me, who will smuggle it through the door to you. ”
    “ Who will gratefully smuggle it to my mouth. What did —”
    “ I ’ d best go in. She ’ s peering out at us. ”
    “ I ’ m going with you! I ’ ll have an apoplexy if I must skip another skip. If she tries to send me back, protect me, Papa. You know my frail constitution. ”
    “ How thankful I am that my Gussie is safe in Ireland. ” Grace looked sulky at this thoughtless statement. “ That was gauche of me. Come, I ’ ll protect you. ”
    They entered together. Lady Healy made no move to put her favorite out for more air and exercise. She asked Whewett many questions about the estate, which he answered briefly.
    “ It sounds as bad as my worst fears. I shall be lucky to get thirty-five hundred for it. It should bring five thousand easily. ”
    “ It will, ” he assured her. “ Prices are up since you were last here. ”
    “ The agent mentioned thirty-five. ”
    “ Then he quoted a sum that would allow him to sell it in a day. He must be anxious for his commission. Don ’ t take less than five thousand. It ’ s a warm day, ” he said, mopping his brow. “ Is there any ale? ”
    “ An excellent idea. We ’ ll both have one, ” Lady Healy said.
    “ I am thirsty, too, ” Grace chimed in swiftly.
    “ Pity I hadn ’ t thought to have Mulkins make you more lemonade, but there is plenty of milk. Milk is good for you. ”
    The beverages were brought. Grace was handed a glass of lukewarm milk. “ It ’ s warm, ” she said, looking with envy at the ale. Beads of condensation had formed on the glasses, lending the ale an appetizing look.
    “ That ’ s good, ” the hostess said. “ You should always drink your milk warm. It is easier to digest. You don ’ t want to go putting cold drinks into your stomach when you are het up. They will give you cramps. ”
    “ You ’ re having a cold drink, ” Grace pointed out.
    “ We are grown-up. Once the system is developed, it can handle anything. Now drink up your milk, and stop whining. ”
    Whewett looked as if he would like to object, but he said nothing. The milk was unappetizing. Grace feared she would actually be sick to her stomach if she drank it. She set it aside while the others drank their ale. Lady Healy soon observed her trick and commanded her to drink it up. Grace took a tiny sip.
    “ All of it. Finish it off, ” Grandma decreed. Grace drank, turning pale with the effort.
    “ That will be enough for her, ” Whewett said when she was half-finished.
    “ She wants physicking, that ’ s what ails her, ” Lady Healy decided. “ Travel always destroys the digestion. Her appetite was excellent yesterday. When a girl goes off her feed, she wants physicking. Lucky I have my blue pills with me. ” She pulled the bell cord and ordered Molly to get the blue pills from Mulkins.
    “ I don ’ t want a physic! ” Grace insisted, but was talked down.
    Whewett mentally weighed the warm milk against the pill, and thought the pill the lesser of two evils, so he said nothing. When it arrived, it