10  life in the country  (1)

The weeks slipped contentedly past ,and spring turned into summer. Oliver was now a strong and healthy boy, and very fond of Rose and Mrs Maylie - as they were of him.

 

One bot summer evening , after a walk in the country, Rose became very weak and pale,and confessed she felt ill. By the next morning she was in a dangerous fever, and Mrs Maylie and Olvier were afraid she might die . Mrs Maylie sent Oliver to the nearest town, four miles away, to post two express lettters. One was to Dr Losberene in Chertsey, the other to Harry Maylie, Mrs Maylie's son.

 

Oliver , filled with anxiety,ran as fast as he could along the country roads and across the fields until, hot and exhausted, he reached the town. He posted the letters and turned to hurry home again . As he was running past a pub in the main street, he accidentally bumped into a tall man in black coming out .The man stared at Oliver. 'What the devil's this?' he said , stepping back.