The next morning, I woke up early. I didn't feel very good. My throat felt dry and my head ached. I rolled out of bed, and stuck my head in the wash basin. Drying off, I looked in the small mirror hanging on my wall. My face was pale, and I could see dark circles around my eyes. In the mirror, I noticed that Bash was still on his matress, snoring.

I dressed, then went down the stairs as quietly as I could. Mary's door was closed, which meant she was still asleep, too.

At the bottom of the stairs, I grabbed my coat, hat, and scarf from the coat rack, and headed out the back door to chop wood. The early morning air was frigid, and made my dry throat itch.

I split an armload of wood for the stove, and took it back into the house. I quickly built a fire in the kitchen's cookstove, then rekindled the one in the living room fireplace. 

By the time I had that finished, Bash and Mary were awake. Bash had gone out to milk the cow, and Mary was making breakfast.

I walked into the kitchen. "Need help with breakfast, Mary?"

She looked up from the coffee pot, but didn't answer. Instead, she walked over to me and felt my face.

"Gilbert, are you getting sick?"

"I don't feel too good," I answered.

"Why don't you stay home from school today. I'll make you some tea to go with your breakfast, with honey in it. Now go sit down at the table, I can finish the rest myself."

I obeyed, and sat down at the kitchen table. I slumped when I realized that I wouldn't get to see Anne today.

Mary set a plate off eggs and sausage in front of me, and my tea. I grinned as I chewed a mouthful of eggs. No head cold could stop me from smelling all of the pepper she used.

______

All morning and early afternoon, I roamed aimlessly around the house. I dusted the library, snuck out to split more wood, and fell asleep cleaning the attic.

It was almost suppertime, and I was polishing the wooden banister in the hall, when I heard a knock at the front door. I hurried down the stairs, and swung the door open. I straightened up and tried to smooth my sweater.

It was Anne.

"Hi Gilbert. I brought your lesson for today. And you'll never guess what happened today at school!"

I stood there awkwardly. "Uhm, thanks Anne," I said, trying not to sound nasally.

"Are you sick Gilbert?" she asked with concern.

"I think so. Mary wanted me to stay home in case it's contagious." I answered. "I've done nothing but clean and polish all day."

"You need a break then, perfect. I'll tell you the news. It's perfectly awful!"

"But, you don't want to catch my cold!"

She rolled her eyes. "I'll take that risk. I've had worse, you know."