With the dropping of the leaves , and the shortening of the dreary days , the shadow of a fear fell over the land . Charles Holland brought the fateful news home one night . `` There 's smallpox in Charlottetown -- five or six cases . Came in one of the vessels . There was a concert , and a sailor from one of the ships was there , and took sick the next day . '' This was alarming enough . Charlottetown was not so very far away and considerable traffic went on between it and the north shore districts . When Caroline recounted the concert story to Christopher the next morning his ruddy face turned quite pale . He opened his lips as if to speak , then closed them again . They were sitting in the kitchen ; Caroline had run over to return some tea she had borrowed , and , incidentally , to see what she could of Victoria 's housekeeping in her absence . Her eyes had been busy while her tongue ran on , so she did not notice the man 's pallor and silence . `` How long does it take for smallpox to develop after one has been exposed to it ? '' he asked abruptly , when Caroline rose to go . `` Ten to fourteen days , I calc ` late , '' was her answer . `` I must see about having the girls vaccinated right off . It 'll likely spread . When do you expect Victoria home ? '' `` When she 's ready to come , whenever that will be , '' was the gruff response . A week later Caroline said to Eunice , `` Whatever 's got Christopher ? He has n't been out anywhere for ages -- just hangs round home the whole time .
It 's something new XXXXX him .
With about for in of on over so to while