saybut
that
you
are
the
first
with
Richard
,
and
that
you
well
deserve
to
be
so
;
but
is
the
seeking
to
be
the
first
even
in
that
way
safe
?
Is
it
not
self-seeking
again
?
'
'
Well
,
perhaps
,
it
is
.
I
know
it
is
what
makes
jealousy
.
'
'
The
only
plan
is
not
to
think
about
ourselves
at
all
,
'
said
Mrs.
May
.
'
Affection
is
round
us
like
sunshine
,
and
there
is
no
use
in
measuring
and
comparing
.
We
must
give
it
out
freely
ourselves
,
hoping
for
nothing
again
.
'
'
O
,
mamma
,
you
do
n't
mean
that
!
'
'
Perhaps
I
should
have
said
,
bargaining
for
nothing
again
.
It
will
come
of
itself
,
if
we
do
n't
exact
it
;
but
rivalry
is
the
sure
means
of
driving
it
away
,
because
that
is
trying
to
get
oneself
worshipped
.
'
'
I
suppose
,
then
,
you
have
never
thought
of
it
,
'
said
Margaret
,
smiling
.
'
Why
,
it
would
have
been
rather
absurd
,
'
said
Mrs.
May
,
laughing
,
'
to
begin
to
torment
myself
,
whether
you
were
all
fond
of
me
!
you
all
have
just
as
much
affection
for
me
,
from
beginning
to
end
,
as
is
natural
,
and
what
's
the
use
of
thinking
about
it
?
No
,
no
,
Margaret
,
do
n't
go
and
protest
that
you
love
me
,
more
than
is
natural
,
'
as
Margaret
looked
inclined
to
say
something
very
eager
,
'
that
would
be
in
the
style
of
Regan
and
Goneril
.
It
will
be
natural
by-and-by
that
you
should
,
some
of
you
,
love
some
one
else
better
,
and
if
I
cared
for
being
first
,
what
should
I
do
then
?
'
'
O
,
mamma
!
—
But
,
'
said
Margaret
,
suddenly
,
'
you
are
always
sure
of
papa
.
'
'
In
one
way
,
yes
,
'
said
Mrs.
May
;
'
but
how
do
I
know
how
long
—
'
Calm
as
she
was
,
she
could
not
finish
that
sentence
.
'
No
,
Margaret
,
depend
upon
it
,
the
only
security
is
,
not
to
think
about
ourselves
at
all
,
and
not
to
fix
our
mind
on
any
affection
on
earth
.
The
least
share
of
the
Love
above
,
is
the
fulness
of
all
blessing
,
and
if
we
seek
that
first
,
all
these
things
will
be
added
unto
us
,
and
are
,
'
she
whispered
more
to
herself
than
to
Margaret
.
CHAPTER
III
.
'
Wee
modest
crimson-tipped
flower
,
Thou'st
met
me
in
an
evil
hour
,
For
I
maun
crush
among
the
stoure
Thy
slender
stem
.
To
spare
thee
now
is
past
my
power
,
Thou
bonnie
gem
.
'
—
Burns
.
'
Is
this
all
the
walking
party
?
'
exclaimed
Mr.
Ernescliffe
,
as
Miss
Winter
,
Flora
,
and
Norman
gathered
in
the
hall
.
'
Harry
wo
n't
go
because
of
Ethel
's
spectacles
,
'
answered
Flora
;
'
and
Mary
and
he
are
inseparable
,
so
they
are
gone
with
Hector
to
have
a
shipwreck
in
the
field
.
'
'
And
your
other
sisters
?
'
'
Margaret
has
ratted
—
she
is
going
to
drive
out
with
mamma
,
'
said
Norman
;
'
as
to
Etheldred
the
Unready
,
I
'll
run
up
and
hurry
her
.
'
In
a
moment
he
was
at
her
door
.
'
Oh
!
Norman
,
come
in
.
Is
it
time
?
'
'
I
should
think
so
!
You
're
keeping
every
one
waiting
.
'
'
Oh
dear
!
go
on
;
only
just
tell
me
the
past
participle
of
offero
,
and
I
'll
catch
you
up
.
'
'
Oblatus
.
'
'
O
,
yes
,
how
stupid
.
The
a
long
or
short
?
Then
that
's
right
.
I
had
such
a
line
in
my
head
,
I
was
forced
to
write
it
down
.
Is
not
it
a
capital
subject
this
time
?
'
'
The
devotion
of
Decius
?
Capital
.
Let
me
see
?
'
said
Norman
,
taking
up
a
paper
scribbled
in
pencil
,
with
Latin
verses
.
'
O
,
you
have
taken
up
quite
a
different
line
from
mine
.
I
began
with
Mount
Vesuvius
spouting
lava
like
anything
.
'
'
But
Mount
Vesuvius
did
n't
spout
till
it
overthrew
Pompeii
.
'
'
Murder
!
'
cried
Norman
,
I
forgot
!
It
's
lucky
you
put
me
in
mind
.
I
must
make
a
fresh
beginning
.
There
go
my
six
best
lines
!
However
,
it
was
an
uncanny
place
,
fit
for
hob-goblins
,
and
shades
,
and
funny
customers
,
which
will
do
as
well
for
my
purpose
.
Ha
!
that
's
grand
about
its
being
so
much
better
than
the
'
vana
gloria
triumphalis
—
only
take
care
of
the
scanning
there
—
'
'
If
it
was
but
English
.
Something
like
this
:
—
For
what
is
equal
to
the
fame
Of
forgetting
self
in
the
aim
?
That
's
not
right
,
but
—
'
'
Ethel
,
Norman
,
what
are
you
about
?
'
cried
Flora
.
'
Do
you
mean
to
go
to
Cocksmoor
to-day
?
'
'
Oh
yes
!
'
cried
Ethel
,
flying
into
vehement
activity
;
'
only
I
've
lost
my
blue-edged
handkerchief
—
Flora
,
have
you
seen
it
?
'
'
No
;
but
here
is
your
red
scarf
.
'
'
Thank
you
,
there
is
a
good
Flora
.
And
oh
!
I
finished
a
frock
all
but
two
stitches
.
Where
is
it
gone
?
Go
on
,
all
of
you
,
I
'll
overtake
you
—
Purer
than
breath
of
earthly
fame
,
Is
losing
self
in
a
glorious
aim
.
Is
that
better
,
Norman
?
'
'
You
'll
drive
us
out
of
patience
,
'
said
Flora
,
tying
the
handkerchief
round
Ethel
's
throat
,
and
pulling
out
the
fingers
of
her
gloves
,
which
of
course
were
inside
out
;
'
are
you
ready
?
'
'
Oh
,
my
frock
!
my
frock
!
There
'
tis
—
three
stitches
—
go
on
,
and
I
'll
come
,
'
said
Ethel
,
seizing
a
needle
,
and
sewing
vehemently
at
a
little
pink
frock
.
'
Go
on
,
Miss
Winter
goes
slowly
up
the
hill
,
and
I
'll
overtake
you
.
'
'
Come
,
Norman
,
then
;
it
is
the
only
way
to
make
her
come
at
all
.
'
'
I
shall
wait
for
her
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
Go
on
,
Flora
,
we
shall
catch
you
up
in
no
time
;
'
and
,
as
Flora
went
,
he
continued
,
'
Never
mind
your
aims
and
fames
and
trumpery
English
rhymes
.
Your
verses
will
be
much
the
best
,
Ethel
;
I
only
went
on
a
little
about
Mount
Vesuvius
and
the
landscape
,
as
Alan
described
it
the
other
day
,
and
Decius
taking
a
last
look
,
knowing
he
was
to
die
.
I
made
him
beg
his
horse
's
pardon
,
and
say
how
they
will
both
be
remembered
,
and
their
self-devotion
would
inspire
Romans
to
all
posterity
,
and
shout
with
a
noble
voice
!
'
said
Norman
,
repeating
some
of
his
lines
,
correcting
them
as
he
proceeded
.
'
Oh
!
yes
;
but
oh
!
dear
,
I
've
done
.
Come
along
,
'
said
Ethel
,
crumpling
her
work
into
a
bundle
,
and
snatching
up
her
gloves
—
then
,
as
they
ran
down
stairs
,
and
emerged
into
the
street
,
'
it
is
a
famous
subject
.
'
'
Yes
,
you
have
made
a
capital
beginning
.
If
you
wo
n't
break
down
somewhere
,
as
you
always
do
,
with
some
frightful
false
quantity
,
that
you
would
get
an
imposition
for
,
if
you
were
a
boy
.
I
wish
you
were
.
I
should
like
to
see
old
Hoxton
's
face
,
if
you
were
to
show
him
up
some
of
these
verses
.
'
'
I
'll
tell
you
what
,
Norman
,
if
I
was
you
,
I
would
not
make
Decius
flatter
himself
with
the
fame
he
was
to
get
—
it
is
too
like
the
stuff
every
one
talks
in
stupid
books
.
I
want
him
to
say
—
Rome
—
my
country
—
the
eagles
—
must
win
,
if
they
do
—
never
mind
what
becomes
of
me
.
'
'
But
why
should
he
not
like
to
get
the
credit
of
it
,
as
he
did
?
Fame
and
glory
—
they
are
the
spirit
of
life
,
the
reward
of
such
a
death
.
'
'
O
no
,
no
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Fame
is
coarse
and
vulgar
—
blinder
than
ever
they
draw
Love
or
Fortune
—
she
is
only
a
personified
newspaper
,
trumpeting
out
all
that
is
extraordinary
,
without
minding
whether
it
is
good
or
bad
.
She
misses
the
delicate
and
lovely
—
I
wished
they
would
give
us
a
theme
to
write
about
her
.
I
should
like
to
abuse
her
well
.
'
'
It
would
make
a
very
good
theme
,
in
a
new
line
,
'
said
Norman
;
'
but
I
do
n't
give
into
it
,
altogether
.
It
is
the
hope
and
the
thought
of
fame
,
that
has
made
men
great
,
from
first
to
last
.
It
is
in
every
one
that
is
not
good
for
nothing
,
and
always
will
be
!
The
moving
spirit
of
man
's
greatness
!
'
'
I
'm
not
sure
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
I
think
looking
for
fame
is
like
wanting
a
reward
at
once
.
I
had
rather
people
forgot
themselves
.
Do
you
think
Arnold
von
Winkelried
thought
about
fame
,
when
he
threw
himself
on
the
spears
?
'
'
He
got
it
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
Yes
;
he
got
it
for
the
good
of
other
people
,
not
to
please
himself
.
Fame
does
those
that
admire
it
good
,
not
those
that
win
it
.
'
'
But
!
'
said
Norman
,
and
both
were
silent
for
some
short
interval
,
as
they
left
the
last
buildings
of
the
town
,
and
began
to
mount
a
steep
hill
.
Presently
Norman
slackened
his
space
,
and
driving
his
stick
vehemently
against
a
stone
,
exclaimed
,
'
It
is
no
use
talking
,
Ethel
,
it
is
all
a
fight
and
a
race
.
One
is
always
to
try
to
be
foremost
.
That
's
the
spirit
of
the
things
—
that
's
what
the
great
,
from
first
to
last
,
have
struggled
,
and
fought
,
and
lived
,
and
died
for
.
'
I
know
it
is
a
battle
,
I
know
it
is
a
race
.
The
Bible
says
so
replied
Ethel
;
'
but
is
not
there
the
difference
,
that
here
all
may
win
—
not
only
one
?
One
may
do
one
's
best
,
not
care
whether
one
is
first
or
last
.
That
's
what
our
reading
to-day
said
.
'
'
That
was
against
trumpery
vanity
—
false
elevation
—
not
what
one
has
earned
for
oneself
,
but
getting
into
other
people
's
places
that
one
never
deserved
.
That
every
one
despises
!
'
'
Of
course
!
That
they
do
.
I
say
,
Norman
,
did
n't
you
mean
Harvey
Anderson
?
'
Instead
of
answering
,
Norman
exclaimed
,
'
It
is
pretension
that
is
hateful
—
true
excelling
is
what
one
's
life
is
for
.
No
,
no
,
I
'll
never
be
beat
,
Ethel
—
I
never
have
been
beat
by
any
one
,
except
by
you
,
when
you
take
pains
,
'
he
added
,
looking
exultingly
at
his
sister
,
'
and
I
never
will
be
.
'
'
O
Norman
!
'
'
I
mean
,
of
course
,
while
I
have
senses
.
I
would
not
be
like
Richard
for
all
the
world
.
'
'
O
no
,
no
,
poor
Richard
!
'
'
He
is
an
excellent
fellow
in
everything
else
,
'
said
Norman
;
'
I
could
sometimes
wish
I
was
more
like
him
—
but
how
he
can
be
so
amazingly
slow
,
I
ca
n't
imagine
.
That
examination
paper
he
broke
down
in
—
I
could
have
done
it
as
easily
as
possible
.
'
'
I
did
it
all
but
one
question
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
but
so
did
he
,
you
know
,
and
we
ca
n't
tell
whether
we
should
have
it
done
well
enough
.
'
'
I
know
I
must
do
something
respectable
when
first
I
go
to
Oxford
,
if
I
do
n't
with
to
be
known
as
the
man
whose
brother
was
plucked
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
Yes
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
if
papa
will
but
let
you
try
for
the
Randall
scholarship
next
year
,
but
he
says
it
is
not
good
to
go
to
Oxford
so
young
.
'
'
And
I
believe
I
had
better
not
be
there
with
Richard
,
'
added
Norman
.
'
I
do
n't
like
coming
into
contrast
with
him
,
and
I
do
n't
think
he
can
like
it
,
poor
fellow
,
and
it
is
n't
his
fault
.
I
had
rather
stay
another
year
here
,
get
one
of
the
open
scholarships
,
and
leave
the
Stoneborough
ones
for
those
who
can
do
no
better
.
'
In
justice
to
Norman
,
we
must
observe
that
this
was
by
no
means
said
as
a
boast
.
He
would
scarcely
have
thus
spoken
to
any
one
but
Etheldred
,
to
whom
,
as
well
as
to
himself
,
it
seemed
mere
matter-of-fact
.
The
others
had
in
the
meantime
halted
at
the
top
of
the
hill
,
and
were
looking
back
at
the
town
—
the
great
old
Minster
,
raising
its
twin
towers
and
long
roof
,
close
to
the
river
,
where
rich
green
meadows
spread
over
the
valley
,
and
the
town
rising
irregularly
on
the
slope
above
,
plentifully
interspersed
with
trees
and
gardens
,
and
one
green
space
on
the
banks
of
the
river
,
speckled
over
with
a
flock
of
little
black
dots
in
rapid
motion
.
'
Here
you
are
!
'
exclaimed
Flora
.
'
I
told
them
it
was
of
no
use
to
wait
when
you
and
Norman
had
begun
a
dissertation
.
'
'
Now
,
Mr.
Ernescliffe
,
I
should
like
you
to
say
,
'
cried
Ethel
,
'
which
do
you
think
is
the
best
,
the
name
of
it
,
or
the
thing
?
'
Her
eloquence
always
broke
down
with
any
auditor
but
her
brother
,
or
,
perhaps
,
Margaret
.
'
Ethell
'
said
Norman
,
'
how
is
any
one
to
understand
you
?
The
argument
is
this
:
Ethel
wants
people
to
do
great
deeds
,
and
be
utterly
careless
of
the
fame
of
them
;
I
say
,
that
love
of
glory
is
a
mighty
spring
.
'
'
A
mighty
one
!
'
said
Alan
;
'
but
I
think
,
as
far
as
I
understand
the
question
,
that
Ethel
has
the
best
of
it
.
'
'
I
do
n't
mean
that
people
should
not
serve
the
cause
first
of
all
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
but
let
them
have
their
right
place
and
due
honour
.
'
'
They
had
better
make
up
their
minds
to
do
without
it
,
'
said
Alan
.
'
Remember
"
The
world
knows
nothing
of
its
greatest
men
.
"
'
Then
it
is
a
great
shame
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
But
do
you
think
it
right
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
to
care
for
distinction
?
It
is
a
great
thing
to
earn
it
,
but
I
do
n't
think
one
should
care
for
the
outer
glory
.
'
'
I
believe
it
is
a
great
temptation
,
'
said
Alan
.
'
The
being
over
elated
or
over
depressed
by
success
or
failure
in
the
eyes
of
the
world
,
independently
of
the
exertion
we
have
used
—
'
'
You
call
it
a
temptation
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Decidedly
so
.
'
'
But
one
ca
n't
live
or
get
on
without
it
,
'
said
Norman
.
There
they
were
cut
short
.
There
was
a
plantation
to
be
crossed
,
with
a
gate
that
would
not
open
,
and
that
seemed
an
effectual
barrier
against
both
Miss
Winter
and
the
donkey
,
until
by
persuasive
eloquence
and
great
gallantry
,
Mr.
Ernescliffe
performed
the
wonderful
feat
of
getting
the
former
over
the
tall
fence
,
while
Norman
conducted
the
donkey
a
long
way
round
,
undertaking
to
meet
them
at
the
other
side
of
the
plantation
.
The
talk
became
desultory
,
as
they
proceeded
for
at
least
a
mile
along
a
cart-track
,
through
soft
tufted
grass
and
heath
,
and
young
fir
trees
.
It
ended
in
a
broad
open
moor
,
stony
and
full
of
damp
boggy
hollows
,
forlorn
and
desolate
under
the
autumn
sky
.
Here
they
met
Norman
again
,
and
walked
on
along
a
very
rough
and
dirty
road
,
the
ground
growing
more
decidedly
into
hills
and
valleys
as
they
advanced
,
till
they
found
themselves
before
a
small
,
but
very
steep
hillock
,
one
side
of
which
was
cut
away
into
a
slate
quarry
.
Round
this
stood
a
colony
of
roughly-built
huts
,
of
mud
,
turf
,
or
large
blocks
of
the
slate
.
Many
workmen
were
engaged
in
splitting
up
the
slates
,
or
loading
waggons
with
them
,
rude
wild-looking
men
,
at
the
sight
of
whom
the
ladies
shrank
up
to
their
protectors
,
but
who
seemed
too
busy
even
to
spare
time
for
staring
at
them
.
They
were
directed
to
John
Taylor
's
house
,
a
low
mud
cottage
,
very
wretched
looking
,
and
apparently
so
smoky
,
that
Mr.
Ernescliffe
and
Norman
were
glad
to
remain
outside
and
survey
the
quarry
,
while
the
ladies
entered
.
Inside
they
found
more
cleanliness
and
neatness
than
they
had
expected
,
but
there
was
a
sad
appearance
of
poverty
,
insufficient
furniture
,
and
the
cups
and
broken
tea-pot
on
the
table
,
holding
nothing
but
toast
and
water
,
as
a
substitute
for
their
proper
contents
.
The
poor
woman
was
sitting
by
the
fire
with
one
twin
on
her
lap
,
and
the
other
on
a
chair
by
her
side
,
and
a
larger
child
was
in
the
corner
by
the
fire
,
looking
heavy
and
ill
,
while
others
of
different
ages
lounged
about
listlessly
.
She
was
not
untidy
,
but
very
pale
,
and
she
spoke
in
a
meek
,
subdued
way
,
as
if
the
ills
of
life
were
so
heavy
on
her
that
she
had
no
spirit
even
to
complain
.
She
thanked
them
for
their
gifts
but
languidly
,
and
did
not
visibly
brighten
when
told
that
her
husband
was
better
.
Flora
asked
when
the
babes
would
be
Christened
.
'
I
ca
n't
hardly
tell
,
Miss
—
'
tis
so
far
to
go
.
'
'
I
suppose
none
of
the
children
can
go
to
school
.
I
do
n't
know
their
faces
there
,
'
said
Flora
,
looking
at
a
nice
tall
,
smooth-haired
girl
,
of
thirteen
or
fourteen
.
'
No
,
Miss
—
'
tis
so
far
.
I
am
sorry
they
should
not
,
for
they
always
was
used
to
it
where
we
lived
before
,
and
my
oldest
girl
,
she
can
work
very
nicely
.
I
wish
I
could
get
a
little
place
for
her
.
'
'
You
would
hardly
know
what
to
do
without
her
,
'
said
Miss
Winter
.
'
No
,
ma'am
;
but
she
wants
better
food
than
I
can
give
her
,
and
it
is
a
bad
wild
place
for
a
girl
to
grow
up
.
It
is
not
like
what
I
was
used
to
,
ma'am
;
I
was
always
used
to
keep
to
my
school
and
to
my
Church
—
but
it
is
a
bad
place
to
live
in
here
.
'
No
one
could
deny
it
,
and
the
party
left
the
cottage
gravely
.
Alan
and
Norman
joined
them
,
having
heard
a
grievous
history
of
the
lawlessness
of
the
people
,
from
a
foreman
with
whom
they
had
met
.
There
seemed
to
be
no
visible
means
of
improvement
.
The
parish
Church
was
Stoneborough
,
and
there
the
living
was
very
poor
,
the
tithes
having
been
appropriated
to
the
old
Monastery
,
and
since
its
dissolution
having
fallen
into
possession
of
a
Body
that
never
did
anything
for
the
town
.
The
incumbent
,
Mr.
Ramsden
,
had
small
means
,
and
was
not
a
high
stamp
of
Clergyman
,
seldom
exerting
himself
,
and
leaving
most
of
his
parish
work
to
the
two
under
masters
of
the
school
,
Mr.
Wilmot
and
Mr.
Harrison
,
who
did
all
they
had
time
and
strength
for
,
and
more
too
,
within
the
town
itself
.
There
was
no
hope
for
Cocksmoor
!
'
There
would
be
a
worthy
ambition
!
'
said
Etheldred
,
as
they
turned
their
steps
homeward
.
'
Let
us
propose
that
aim
to
ourselves
,
to
build
a
Church
on
Cocksmoor
!
'
'
How
many
years
do
you
give
us
to
do
it
in
?
'
said
Norman
.
'
Few
or
many
,
I
do
n't
care
.
I
'll
never
leave
off
thinking
about
it
till
it
is
done
.
'
'
It
need
not
be
long
,
'
said
Flora
,
'
if
one
could
get
up
a
subscription
.
'
'
A
penny
subscription
?
'
said
Norman
.
'
I
'd
rather
have
it
my
own
doing
.
'
'
You
agree
then
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
do
you
,
Mr.
Ernescliffe
?
'
'
I
may
safely
do
so
,
'
he
answered
,
smiling
.
Miss
Winter
looked
at
Etheldred
reprovingly
,
and
she
shrank
into
herself
,
drew
apart
,
and
indulged
in
a
reverie
.
She
had
heard
in
books
,
of
girls
writing
poetry
,
romance
,
history
—
gaining
fifties
and
hundreds
.
Could
not
some
of
the
myriads
of
fancies
floating
in
her
mind
thus
be
made
available
?
She
would
compose
,
publish
,
earn
money
—
some
day
call
papa
,
show
him
her
hoard
,
beg
him
to
take
it
,
and
,
never
owning
whence
it
came
,
raise
the
building
.
Spire
and
chancel
—
pinnacle
and
buttress
rose
before
her
eyes
—
and
she
and
Norman
were
standing
in
the
porch
,
with
an
orderly
,
religious
population
,
blessing
the
unknown
benefactor
,
who
had
caused
the
news
of
salvation
to
be
heard
among
them
.
They
were
almost
at
home
,
when
the
sight
of
a
crowd
in
the
main
street
checked
them
.
Norman
and
Mr.
Ernescliffe
went
forward
to
discover
the
cause
,
and
spoke
to
some
one
on
the
outskirts
—
then
Mr.
Ernescliffe
hurried
back
to
the
ladies
.
'
There
's
been
an
accident
,
'
he
said
,
hastily
—
'
you
had
better
go
down
the
lane
,
and
in
by
the
garden
.
'
He
was
gone
in
an
instant
,
and
they
obeyed
in
silence
.
Whence
came
Ethel
's
certainty
that
the
accident
concerned
themselves
?
In
an
agony
of
apprehension
,
though
without
one
outward
sign
of
it
,
she
walked
home
.
They
were
in
the
garden
—
all
was
apparently
as
usual
,
but
no
one
was
in
sight
.
Ethel
had
been
first
,
but
she
held
back
,
and
let
Miss
Winter
go
forward
into
the
house
.
The
front
door
was
open
—
servants
were
standing
about
in
confusion
,
and
one
of
the
maids
,
looking
dreadfully
frightened
,
gave
a
cry
,
'
Oh
!
Miss
—
Miss
—
have
you
heard
?
'
'
No
—
what
?
What
has
happened
?
Not
Mrs.
May
—
'
exclaimed
Miss
Winter
.
'
Oh
!
ma'am
!
it
is
all
of
them
.
The
carriage
is
over-turned
,
and
—
'
'
Who
's
hurt
?
Mamma
!
papa
!
Oh
!
tell
me
!
'
cried
Flora
.
'
There
's
nurse
,
'
and
Ethel
flew
up
to
her
.
'
What
is
it
?
Oh
!
nurse
!
'
My
poor
,
poor
children
,
'
said
old
nurse
,
passionately
kissing
Ethel
.
Harry
and
Mary
were
on
the
stairs
behind
her
,
clinging
together
.
A
stranger
looked
into
the
house
,
followed
by
Adams
,
the
stableman
.
'
They
are
going
to
bring
Miss
May
in
,
'
some
one
said
.
Ethel
could
bear
it
no
longer
.
As
if
she
could
escape
,
she
fled
up-stairs
,
into
her
room
,
and
,
falling
on
her
knees
,
hid
her
face
on
her
bed
.
There
were
heavy
steps
in
the
house
,
then
a
sound
of
hasty
feet
coming
up
to
her
.
Norman
dashed
into
the
room
,
and
threw
himself
on
a
chair
.
He
was
ghastly
pale
,
and
shuddered
all
over
.
'
Oh
!
Norman
,
Norman
,
speak
.
What
is
it
?
'
He
groaned
,
but
could
not
speak
;
he
rested
his
head
against
her
,
and
gasped
.
She
was
terribly
frightened
.
'
I
'll
call
—
'
and
she
would
have
gone
,
but
he
held
her
.
'
No
—
no
—
thye
ca
n't
!
'
He
was
prevented
from
saying
more
,
by
chattering
teeth
and
deadly
faintness
.
She
tried
to
support
him
,
but
could
only
guide
him
as
he
sank
,
till
he
lay
at
full
length
on
the
floor
,
where
she
put
a
pillow
under
his
head
,
and
gave
him
some
water
.
'
Is
it
—
oh
!
tell
me
.
Are
they
much
hurt
?
Oh
,
try
to
say
.
'
'
They
say
Margaret
is
alive
,
'
said
Norman
,
in
gasps
;
'
but
—
And
papa
—
he
stood
up
—
sat
—
walked
—
was
better
—
'
'
Is
he
hurt
—
much
hurt
?
'
'
His
arm
—
'
and
the
tremor
and
fainting
stopped
him
again
.
'
Mamma
?
'
whispered
Ethel
;
but
Norman
only
pressed
his
face
into
the
pillow
.
She
was
so
bewildered
as
to
be
more
alive
to
the
present
distress
of
his
condition
,
than
to
the
vague
horrors
down-stairs
.
Some
minutes
passed
in
silence
,
Norman
lying
still
,
excepting
a
nervous
trembling
that
agitated
his
whole
frame
.
Again
was
heard
the
strange
tread
,
doors
opening
and
shutting
,
and
suppressed
voices
,
and
he
turned
his
face
upwards
,
and
listened
with
his
hand
pressed
to
his
forehead
,
as
if
to
keep
himself
still
enough
to
listen
.
'
Oh
!
what
is
the
matter
?
What
is
it
?
'
cried
Ethel
,
startled
and
recalled
to
the
sense
of
what
was
passing
.
'
Oh
!
Norman
!
'
then
springing
up
,
with
a
sudden
thought
,
'
Mr
.
Ward
!
Oh
!
is
he
there
?
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Norman
,
in
a
low
hopeless
tone
,
'
he
was
at
the
place
.
He
said
it
—
'
'
What
?
'
Again
Norman
's
face
was
out
of
sight
.
'
Mamma
?
'
Ethel
's
understanding
perceived
,
but
her
mind
refused
to
grasp
the
extent
of
the
calamity
.
There
was
no
answer
,
save
a
convulsive
squeezing
of
her
hand
.
Fresh
sounds
below
recalled
her
to
speech
and
action
.
'
Where
is
she
?
What
are
they
doing
for
her
?
What
—
'
'
There
's
nothing
to
be
done
.
She
—
when
they
lifted
her
up
,
she
was
—
'
'
Dead
?
'
'
Dead
.
'
The
boy
lay
with
his
face
hidden
,
the
girl
sat
by
him
on
the
floor
,
too
much
crushed
for
even
the
sensations
belonging
to
grief
,
neither
moving
nor
looking
.
After
an
interval
Norman
spoke
again
,
'
The
carriage
turned
right
over
—
her
head
struck
on
the
kerb
stone
—
'
'
Did
you
see
?
'
said
Ethel
,
presently
.
'
I
saw
them
lift
her
up
.
'
He
spoke
at
intervals
,
as
he
could
get
breath
,
and
bear
to
utter
the
words
.
'
And
papa
—
he
was
stunned
—
but
soon
he
sat
up
,
said
he
would
go
to
her
—
he
looked
at
her
—
felt
her
pulse
,
and
then
—
sank
down
over
her
!
'
'
And
did
you
say
,
I
ca
n't
remember
—
was
he
hurt
?
'
The
shuddering
came
again
,
'
His
arm
—
all
twisted
—
broken
,
'
and
his
voice
sank
into
a
faint
whisper
;
Ethel
was
obliged
to
sprinkle
him
again
with
water
.
'
But
he
wo
n't
die
?
'
said
she
,
in
a
tone
calm
from
its
bewilderment
.
'
Oh
!
no
,
no
,
no
—
'
'
And
Margaret
?
'
'
They
were
bringing
her
home
.
I
'll
go
and
see
.
Oh
!
what
's
the
meaning
of
this
?
'
exclaimed
he
,
scolding
himself
,
as
,
sitting
up
,
he
was
forced
to
rest
his
head
on
his
shaking
hand
.
'
You
are
still
faint
,
dear
Norman
;
you
had
better
lie
still
,
and
I
'll
go
and
see
.
'
'
Faint
—
stuff
—
how
horridly
stupid
!
'
but
he
was
obliged
to
lay
his
head
down
again
;
and
Ethel
,
scarcely
less
trembling
,
crept
carefully
towards
the
stairs
,
but
a
dread
of
what
she
might
meet
came
over
her
,
and
she
turned
towards
the
nursery
.
The
younger
ones
sat
there
in
a
frightened
huddle
.
Mary
was
on
a
low
chair
by
the
infant
's
cot
,
Blanche
in
her
lap
,
Tom
and
Harry
leaning
against
her
,
and
Aubrey
almost
asleep
.
Mary
held
up
her
finger
as
Ethel
entered
,
and
whispered
,
'
Hush
!
do
n't
wake
baby
for
anything
!
'
The
first
true
pang
of
grief
shot
through
Ethel
like
a
dart
,
stabbing
and
taking
away
her
breath
,
'
Where
are
they
?
'
she
said
;
'
how
is
papa
?
who
is
with
him
?
'
'
Mr
.
Ward
and
Alan
Ernescliffe
,
'
said
Harry
.
'
Nurse
came
up
just
now
,
and
said
they
were
setting
his
arm
.
'
'
Where
is
he
?
'
'
On
the
bed
in
his
dressing-room
,
'
said
Harry
.
'
Has
he
come
to
himself
—
is
he
better
?
'
They
did
not
seem
to
know
,
and
Ethel
asked
where
to
find
Flora
.
'
With
Margaret
,
'
she
was
told
,
and
she
was
thinking
whether
she
could
venture
to
seek
her
,
when
she
herself
came
fast
up
the
stairs
.
Ethel
and
Harry
both
darted
out
.
'
Do
n't
stop
me
,
'
said
Flora
—
'
they
want
some
handkerchiefs
.
'
'
What
,
is
not
she
in
her
own
room
?
'
'
No
,
'
said
Harry
,
'
in
mamma
's
;
'
and
then
his
face
quivered
all
over
,
and
he
turned
away
.
Ethel
ran
after
her
sister
,
and
pulling
out
drawers
without
knowing
what
she
sought
,
begged
to
hear
how
papa
and
Margaret
were
.
'
We
ca
n't
judge
of
Margaret
—
she
has
moved
,
and
made
a
little
moaning
—
there
are
no
limbs
broken
,
but
we
are
afraid
for
her
head
.
Oh
!
if
papa
could
but
—
'
'
And
papa
?
'
'
Mr
.
Ward
is
with
him
now
—
his
arm
is
terribly
hurt
.
'
'
But
oh
!
Flora
—
one
moment
—
is
he
sensible
?
'
'
Hardly
;
he
does
not
take
any
notice
—
but
do
n't
keep
me
.
'
'
Can
I
do
anything
?
'
following
her
to
the
head
of
the
stairs
.
'
No
;
I
do
n't
see
what
you
can
do
.
Miss
Winter
and
I
are
with
Margaret
;
there
's
nothing
to
do
for
her
.
'
It
was
a
relief
.
Etheldred
shrank
from
what
she
might
have
to
behold
,
and
Flora
hastened
down
,
too
busy
and
too
useful
to
have
time
to
think
.
Harry
had
gone
back
to
his
refuge
in
the
nursery
,
and
Ethel
returned
to
Norman
.
There
they
remained
for
a
long
time
,
both
unwilling
to
speak
or
stir
,
or
even
to
observe
to
each
other
on
the
noises
that
came
in
to
them
,
as
their
door
was
left
ajar
,
though
in
those
sounds
they
were
so
absorbed
,
that
they
did
not
notice
the
cold
of
a
frosty
October
evening
,
or
the
darkness
that
closed
in
on
them
.
They
heard
the
poor
babe
crying
,
one
of
the
children
going
down
to
call
nurse
,
and
nurse
coming
up
;
then
Harry
,
at
the
door
of
the
room
where
the
boys
slept
,
calling
Norman
in
a
low
voice
.
Norman
,
now
nearly
recovered
,
went
and
brought
him
into
his
sister
's
room
,
and
his
tidings
were
,
that
their
father
's
arm
had
been
broken
in
two
places
,
and
the
elbow
frightfully
injured
,
having
been
crushed
and
twisted
by
the
wheel
.
He
was
also
a
good
deal
bruised
,
and
though
Mr.
Ward
trusted
there
was
no
positive
harm
to
the
head
,
he
was
in
an
unconscious
state
,
from
which
the
severe
pain
of
the
operation
had
only
roused
him
,
so
far
as
to
evince
a
few
signs
of
suffering
.
Margaret
was
still
insensible
.
The
piteous
sound
of
the
baby
's
wailing
almost
broke
their
hearts
.
Norman
walked
about
the
room
in
the
dark
,
and
said
he
should
go
down
,
he
could
not
bear
it
;
but
he
could
not
make
up
his
mind
to
go
,
and
after
about
a
quarter
of
an
hour
,
to
their
great
relief
,
it
ceased
.
Next
Mary
opened
the
door
,
saying
,
'
Norman
,
here
's
Mr.
Wilmot
come
to
ask
if
he
can
do
anything
—
Miss
Winter
sent
word
that
you
had
better
go
to
him
.
'
'
How
is
baby
?
'
asked
Harry
.
'
Nurse
has
fed
her
,
and
is
putting
her
to
bed
;
she
is
quiet
now
,
'
said
Mary
;
'
will
you
go
down
,
Norman
?
'
'
Where
is
he
?
'
'
In
the
drawing-room
.
'
Norman
paused
to
ask
what
he
was
to
say
.
'
Nothing
,
'
said
Mary
,
'
nobody
can
do
anything
.
Make
haste
.
Do
n't
you
want
a
candle
?
'
'
No
,
thank
you
,
I
had
rather
be
in
the
dark
.
Come
up
as
soon
as
you
have
seen
him
,
'
said
Etheldred
.
Norman
went
slowly
down
,
with
failing
knees
,
hardly
able
to
conquer
the
shudder
that
came
over
him
,
as
he
passed
those
rooms
.
There
were
voices
in
the
drawing-room
,
and
he
found
a
sort
of
council
there
,
Alan
Ernescliffe
,
the
surgeon
,
and
Mr.
Wilmot
.
They
turned
as
he
came
in
,
and
Mr.
Wilmot
held
out
his
hand
with
a
look
of
affection
and
kindness
that
went
to
his
heart
,
making
room
for
him
on
the
sofa
,
while
going
on
with
what
he
was
saying
.
'
Then
you
think
it
would
be
better
for
me
not
to
sit
up
with
him
.
'
'
I
should
decidedly
say
so
,
'
replied
Mr.
Ward
.
'
He
has
recognised
Mr.
Ernescliffe
,
and
any
change
might
excite
him
,
and
lead
him
to
ask
questions
.
The
moment
of
his
full
consciousness
is
especially
to
be
dreaded
.
'
'
But
you
do
not
call
him
insensible
?
'
'
No
,
but
he
seems
stunned
—
stupified
by
the
shock
,
and
by
pain
.
He
spoke
to
Miss
Flora
when
she
brought
him
some
tea
.
'
'
And
admirably
she
managed
,
'
said
Alan
Ernescliffe
.
'
I
was
much
afraid
of
some
answer
that
would
rouse
him
,
but
she
kept
her
self-possession
beautifully
,
and
seemed
to
compose
him
in
a
moment
.
'
'
She
is
valuable
indeed
—
so
much
judgment
and
activity
,
'
said
Mr.
Ward
.
'
I
do
n't
know
what
we
should
have
done
without
her
.
But
we
ought
to
have
Mr.
Richard
—
has
no
one
sent
to
him
?
'
Alan
Ernescliffe
and
Norman
looked
at
each
other
.
'
Is
he
at
Oxford
,
or
at
his
tutor
's
?
'
asked
Mr.
Wilmot
.
'
At
Oxford
;
he
was
to
be
there
to-day
,
was
he
not
,
Norman
?
'
'
What
o'clock
is
it
?
Is
the
post
gone
—
seven
—
no
;
it
is
all
safe
,
'
said
Mr.
Ward
.
Poor
Norman
!
he
knew
he
was
the
one
who
ought
to
write
,
but
his
icy
trembling
hand
seemed
to
shake
more
helplessly
than
ever
,
and
a
piteous
glance
fell
upon
Mr.
Wilmot
.
'
The
best
plan
would
be
,
'
said
Mr.
Wilmot
,
'
for
me
to
go
to
him
at
once
,
and
bring
him
home
.
If
I
go
by
the
mail-train
,
I
shall
get
to
him
sooner
than
a
letter
could
.
'
'
And
it
will
be
better
for
him
,
'
said
Mr.
Ward
.
'
He
will
feel
it
dreadfully
,
poor
boy
.
But
we
shall
all
do
better
when
we
have
him
.
You
can
get
back
to-morrow
evening
.
'
'
Sunday
,
'
said
Mr.
Wilmot
,
'
I
believe
there
is
a
train
at
four
.
'
'
Oh
!
thank
you
,
sir
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
Since
that
is
settled
,
perhaps
I
had
better
go
up
to
the
Doctor
,
'
said
Alan
;
'
I
do
n't
like
leaving
Flora
alone
with
him
,
'
and
he
was
gone
.
'
How
fortunate
that
that
youth
is
here
,
'
said
Mr.
Wilmot
—
'
he
seems
to
be
quite
taking
Richard
's
place
.
'
'
And
to
feel
it
as
much
,
'
said
Mr.
Ward
.
'
He
has
been
invaluable
with
his
sailor
's
resources
and
handiness
.
'
'
Well
,
what
shall
I
tell
poor
Richard
?
'
asked
Mr.
Wilmot
.
'
Tell
him
there
is
no
reason
his
father
should
not
do
very
well
,
if
we
can
keep
him
from
agitation
—
but
there
's
the
point
.
He
is
of
so
excitable
a
constitution
,
that
his
faculties
being
so
far
confused
,
is
the
best
thing
,
perhaps
,
that
could
be
.
Mr.
Ernescliffe
manages
him
very
well
—
used
to
illness
on
that
African
coast
,
and
the
Doctor
is
very
fond
of
him
.
As
to
Miss
May
,
one
ca
n't
tell
what
to
say
about
her
yet
—
there
's
no
fracture
,
at
least
—
it
must
be
a
work
of
time
to
judge
.
'
Flora
at
that
moment
half-opened
the
door
,
and
called
Mr.
Ward
,
stopping
for
a
moment
to
say
it
was
for
nothing
of
any
consequence
.
Mr.
Wilmot
and
Norman
were
left
together
.
Norman
put
his
hands
over
his
face
and
groaned
—
his
master
looked
at
him
with
kind
anxiety
,
but
did
not
feel
as
if
it
were
yet
time
to
speak
of
consolation
.
'
God
bless
and
support
you
,
and
turn
this
to
your
good
,
my
dear
boy
,
'
said
he
affectionately
,
as
he
pressed
his
hand
;
'
I
hope
to
bring
your
brother
to-morrow
.
'
'
Thank
you
,
sir
,
'
was
all
Norman
could
say
;
and
as
Mr.
Wilmot
went
out
by
the
front
door
,
he
slowly
went
up
again
,
and
lingering
on
the
landing-place
,
was
met
by
Mr.
Ward
,
who
told
him
to
his
relief
—
for
the
mere
thinking
of
it
renewed
the
faint
sensation
—
that
he
had
better
not
go
to
his
father
's
room
.
There
was
nothing
to
be
done
but
to
return
to
Ethel
and
Harry
,
and
tell
them
all
;
with
some
humiliation
at
being
helpless
,
where
Flora
was
doing
so
much
,
and
to
leave
their
father
to
be
watched
by
a
stranger
.
If
he
had
been
wanted
,
Norman
might
have
made
the
effort
,
but
being
told
that
he
would
be
worse
than
useless
,
there
was
nothing
for
him
but
to
give
way
.
They
sat
together
in
Ethel
's
room
,
till
somewhere
between
eight
and
nine
o'clock
,
when
good
old
nurse
,
having
put
her
younger
ones
to
bed
,
came
in
search
of
them
.
'
Dear
,
dear
!
poor
darlings
,
'
said
she
,
as
she
found
them
sitting
in
the
dark
;
she
felt
their
cold
hands
,
and
made
them
all
come
into
the
nursery
,
where
Mary
was
already
,
and
,
fondling
them
,
one
by
one
,
as
they
passively
obeyed
her
,
she
set
them
down
on
their
little
old
stools
round
the
fire
,
took
away
the
high
fender
,
and
gave
them
each
a
cup
of
tea
.
Harry
and
Mary
ate
enough
to
satisfy
her
,
from
a
weary
craving
feeling
,
and
for
want
of
employment
;
Norman
sat
with
his
elbow
on
his
knee
,
and
a
very
aching
head
resting
on
his
hand
,
glad
of
drink
,
but
unable
to
eat
;
Ethel
could
be
persuaded
to
do
neither
,
till
she
found
old
nurse
would
let
her
have
no
peace
.
The
nurse
sent
them
all
to
bed
,
taking
the
two
girls
to
their
own
room
,
undressing
them
,
and
never
leaving
them
until
Mary
was
in
a
fair
way
of
crying
herself
to
sleep
—
for
saying
her
prayers
had
brought
the
tears
;
while
Ethel
lay
so
wide
awake
that
it
was
of
no
use
to
wait
for
her
,
and
then
she
went
to
the
boys
,
tucked
them
each
in
,
as
when
they
were
little
children
,
and
saying
,
'
Bless
your
dear
hearts
!
'
bestowed
on
each
of
them
a
kiss
which
came
gratefully
to
Norman
's
burning
brow
,
and
which
even
Harry
's
boyish
manliness
could
not
resist
.
Flora
was
in
Margaret
's
room
,
too
useful
to
be
spared
.
So
ended
that
dreadful
Saturday
.
CHAPTER
IV
.
'
They
may
not
mar
the
deep
repose
Of
that
immortal
flower
;
Though
only
broken
hearts
are
found
To
watch
her
cradle
by
,
No
blight
is
on
her
slumbers
found
,
No
touch
of
harmful
eye
.
'
Lyra
Innocentium
.
Such
a
strange
sad
Sunday
!
No
going
to
Church
,
but
all
the
poor
children
moving
in
awe
and
oppression
about
the
house
,
speaking
under
their
breath
,
as
they
gathered
in
the
drawing-room
.
Into
the
study
,
they
might
not
go
,
and
when
Blanche
would
have
asked
why
,
Tom
pressed
her
hand
and
shuddered
.
Etheldred
was
allowed
to
come
and
look
at
Margaret
,
and
even
to
sit
in
the
room
for
a
little
while
,
to
take
the
place
of
Miss
Winter
;
but
she
was
not
sensible
of
sufficient
usefulness
to
relieve
the
burden
of
fear
and
bewilderment
in
the
presence
of
that
still
,
pale
form
;
and
,
what
was
almost
worse
,
the
sight
of
the
familiar
objects
,
the
chair
by
the
fire
,
the
sofa
,
the
books
,
the
work-basket
,
the
letter-case
,
the
dressing
things
,
all
these
were
too
oppressive
.
She
sat
crouched
up
,
with
her
face
hidden
in
her
hands
,
and
the
instant
she
was
released
,
hastened
back
to
Norman
.
She
was
to
tell
him
that
he
might
go
into
the
room
,
but
he
did
not
move
,
and
Mary
alone
went
in
and
out
with
message
.
Dr.
May
was
not
to
be
visited
,
for
he
was
in
the
same
half-conscious
state
,
apparently
sensible
only
of
bodily
suffering
,
though
he
answered
when
addressed
,
and
no
one
was
trusted
to
speak
to
him
but
Flora
and
Alan
Ernescliffe
.
The
rest
wore
through
the
day
as
best
they
might
.
Harry
slept
a
good
deal
,
Ethel
read
to
herself
,
and
tried
to
get
Norman
to
look
at
passages
which
she
liked
,
Mary
kept
the
little
ones
from
being
troublesome
,
and
at
last
took
them
to
peep
behind
the
school-room
blinds
for
Richard
's
coming
.
There
was
a
simultaneous
shout
when
,
at
four
o'clock
,
they
caught
sight
of
him
,
and
though
,
at
Ethel
's
exclamation
of
wonder
,
Mary
and
Tom
hung
their
heads
at
having
forgotten
themselves
,
the
association
of
gladness
in
seeing
Richard
was
refreshing
;
the
sense
of
being
desolate
and
forsaken
was
relieved
,
and
they
knew
that
now
they
had
one
to
rely
on
and
to
comfort
them
.
Harry
hastened
to
open
the
front-door
,
and
Richard
,
with
his
small
trim
figure
,
and
fresh
,
fair
young
face
,
flushed
,
though
not
otherwise
agitated
,
was
among
them
,
almost
devoured
by
the
younger
ones
,
and
dealing
out
quiet
caresses
to
them
,
as
he
caught
from
the
words
and
looks
of
the
others
,
that
at
least
his
father
and
sister
were
no
worse
.
Mr.
Wilmot
had
come
with
him
,
but
only
staid
to
hear
the
tidings
.
'
Can
I
see
papa
?
'
were
Richard
's
first
audible
words
—
all
the
rest
had
been
almost
dumb
show
.
Ethel
thought
not
,
but
took
him
to
Margaret
's
room
,
where
he
stood
for
many
minutes
without
speaking
;
then
whispered
to
Flora
that
he
must
go
to
the
others
,
she
should
call
him
if
—
and
went
down
,
followed
by
Ethel
.
Tom
and
Blanche
had
fallen
into
teazing
tricks
,
a
sort
of
melancholy
play
to
relieve
the
tedium
.
They
grew
cross
.
Norman
was
roused
to
reprove
sharply
,
and
Blanche
was
beginning
to
cry
.
But
Richard
's
entrance
set
all
at
peace
—
he
sat
down
among
them
,
and
,
with
soft
voice
and
arm
round
Blanche
,
as
she
leaned
against
him
,
made
her
good
in
a
moment
;
and
she
listened
while
he
talked
over
with
Norman
and
Ethel
all
they
could
bear
to
speak
of
.
Late
in
the
day
,
Flora
came
into
her
father
's
room
,
and
stood
gazing
at
him
,
as
he
lay
with
eyes
closed
,
breathing
heavily
,
and
his
brows
contracted
by
pain
.
She
watched
him
with
piteous
looks
,
as
if
imploring
him
to
return
to
his
children
.
Poor
girl
,
to-day
's
quiet
,
after
the
last
evening
's
bustle
,
was
hard
to
bear
.
She
had
then
been
distracted
from
thought
by
the
necessity
of
exertion
,
but
it
now
repayed
itself
,
and
she
knew
not
how
to
submit
to
do
nothing
but
wait
and
watch
.
'
No
change
?
'
enquired
Alan
Ernescliffe
;
looking
kindly
in
her
face
.
'
No
,
'
replied
she
in
a
low
,
mournful
tone
.
'
She
only
once
said
,
thank
you
.
'
A
voice
which
she
did
not
expect
,
asked
inquiringly
,
'
Margaret
?
'
and
her
heart
beat
as
if
it
would
take
away
her
breath
,
as
she
saw
her
father
's
eyes
intently
fixed
on
her
.
'
Did
you
speak
of
her
?
'
he
repeated
.
'
Yes
,
dear
papa
,
'
said
Flora
,
not
losing
presence
of
mind
,
though
in
extreme
fear
of
what
the
next
question
might
be
.
'
She
is
quiet
and
comfortable
,
so
do
n't
be
uneasy
,
pray
.
'
'
Let
me
hear
,
'
he
said
,
and
his
whole
voice
and
air
showed
him
to
be
entirely
roused
.
'
There
is
injury
?
What
is
it
—
'
He
continued
his
inquiries
till
Flora
was
obliged
fully
to
explain
her
sister
's
condition
,
and
then
he
dismayed
her
by
saying
he
would
get
up
and
go
to
see
her
.
Much
distressed
,
she
begged
him
not
to
think
of
it
,
and
appealed
to
Alan
,
who
added
his
entreaties
that
he
would
at
least
wait
for
Mr.
Ward
;
but
the
Doctor
would
not
relinquish
his
purpose
,
and
sent
her
to
give
notice
that
he
was
coming
.
Mr.
Ernescliffe
followed
her
out
of
the
room
,
and
tried
to
console
her
,
as
she
looked
at
him
in
despair
.
'
You
see
he
is
quite
himself
,
quite
collected
,
'
he
said
;
'
you
heard
how
clear
and
coherent
his
questions
were
.
'
'
Ca
n't
it
be
helped
?
Do
try
to
stop
him
till
I
can
send
to
Mr.
Ward
.
'
'
I
will
try
,
but
I
think
he
is
in
a
state
to
judge
for
himself
.
I
do
,
upon
my
word
;
and
I
believe
trying
to
prevent
him
would
be
more
likely
to
do
him
harm
than
letting
him
satisfy
himself
.
I
really
think
you
need
not
be
alarmed
.
'
'
But
you
know
,
'
said
Flora
,
coming
nearer
,
and
almost
gasping
as
she
whispered
and
signed
towards
the
door
,
'
she
is
there
—
it
is
mamma
's
room
,
that
will
tell
all
.
'
'
I
believe
he
knows
,
'
said
Alan
.
'
It
was
that
which
made
him
faint
after
the
accident
,
for
he
had
his
perceptions
fully
at
first
.
I
have
suspected
all
day
that
he
was
more
himself
than
he
seemed
,
but
I
think
he
could
not
bear
to
awaken
his
mind
to
understand
it
,
and
that
he
was
afraid
to
hear
about
her
—
your
sister
,
so
that
our
mention
of
her
was
a
great
relief
,
and
did
him
good
.
I
am
convinced
he
knows
the
rest
.
Only
go
on
,
be
calm
,
as
you
have
been
,
and
we
shall
do
very
well
.
'
Flora
went
to
prepare
.
Ethel
eagerly
undertook
to
send
to
Mr.
Ward
,
and
hastened
from
the
room
,
as
if
in
a
sort
of
terror
,
shrinking
perhaps
from
what
might
lead
to
an
outburst
of
grief
.
She
longed
to
have
seen
her
father
,
but
was
frightened
at
the
chance
of
meeting
him
.
When
she
had
sent
her
message
,
and
told
her
brothers
what
was
passing
,
she
went
and
lingered
on
the
stairs
and
in
the
passage
for
tidings
.
After
what
seemed
a
long
time
,
Flora
came
out
,
and
hastened
to
the
nursery
,
giving
her
intelligence
on
the
way
.
'
Better
than
could
be
hoped
,
he
walked
alone
into
the
room
,
and
was
quite
calm
and
composed
.
Oh
!
if
this
will
not
hurt
him
,
if
the
seeing
baby
was
but
over
!
'
'
Does
he
want
her
?
'
'
Yes
,
he
would
have
come
up
here
himself
,
but
I
would
not
let
him
—
Nurse
,
do
you
hear
?
Papa
wants
baby
,
let
me
have
her
.
'
'
Bless
me
,
Miss
Flora
,
you
ca
n't
hold
her
while
you
are
all
of
a
tremble
!
And
he
has
been
to
Miss
Margaret
?
'
'
Yes
,
nurse
,
and
he
was
only
rather
stiff
and
lame
.
'
'
Did
Margaret
seem
to
know
him
?
'
said
Ethel
.
'
She
just
answered
in
that
dreamy
way
when
he
spoke
to
her
.
He
says
he
thinks
it
is
as
Mr.
Ward
believes
,
and
that
she
will
soon
come
to
herself
.
He
is
quite
able
to
consider
—
'
'
And
he
knows
all
?
'
'
I
am
sure
he
does
.
He
desired
to
see
baby
,
and
he
wants
you
,
nurse
.
Only
mind
you
command
yourself
—
do
n't
say
a
word
you
can
help
—
do
nothing
to
agitate
him
.
'
Nurse
promised
,
but
the
tears
came
so
fast
,
and
sobs
with
them
,
as
she
approached
her
master
's
room
,
that
Flora
saw
no
composure
could
be
expected
from
her
;
and
taking
the
infant
from
her
,
carried
it
in
,
leaving
the
door
open
for
her
to
follow
when
wanted
.
Ethel
stood
by
listening
.
There
was
silence
at
first
,
then
some
sounds
from
the
baby
,
and
her
father
's
voice
soothing
it
,
in
his
wonted
caressing
phrases
and
tones
,
so
familiar
that
they
seemed
to
break
the
spell
,
drive
away
her
vague
terrors
,
and
restore
her
father
.
Her
heart
bounded
,
and
a
sudden
impulse
carried
her
to
the
bedside
,
at
once
forgetting
all
dread
of
seeing
him
,
and
chance
of
doing
him
harm
.
He
lay
,
holding
the
babe
close
to
him
,
and
his
face
was
not
altered
,
so
that
there
was
nothing
in
the
sight
to
impress
her
with
the
need
of
caution
,
and
,
to
the
consternation
of
the
anxious
Flora
,
she
exclaimed
,
abruptly
and
vehemently
,
'
Papa
!
should
not
she
be
Christened
?
'
Dr.
May
looked
up
at
Ethel
,
then
at
the
infant
;
'
Yes
,
'
he
said
,
'
at
once
.
'
Then
added
feebly
and
languidly
,
'
Some
one
must
see
to
it
.
'
There
was
a
pause
,
while
Flora
looked
reproachfully
at
her
sister
,
and
Ethel
became
conscious
of
her
imprudence
,
but
in
a
few
moments
Dr.
May
spoke
again
,
first
to
the
baby
,
and
then
asking
,
'
Is
Richard
here
?
'
'
Yes
,
papa
.
'
'
Send
him
up
presently
.
Where
's
nurse
?
'
Ethel
retreated
,
much
alarmed
at
her
rash
measure
,
and
when
she
related
it
,
she
saw
that
Richard
and
Mr.
Ernescliffe
both
thought
it
had
been
a
great
hazard
.
'
Papa
wants
you
,
'
was
a
welcome
sound
to
the
ears
of
Richard
,
and
brought
a
pink
glow
into
his
face
.
He
was
never
one
who
readily
showed
his
feelings
,
and
there
was
no
danger
of
his
failing
in
self-command
,
though
grievously
down-cast
,
not
only
at
the
loss
of
the
tender
mother
,
who
had
always
stood
between
him
and
his
father
's
impatience
,
but
by
the
dread
that
he
was
too
dull
and
insignificant
to
afford
any
help
or
comfort
in
his
father
's
dire
affliction
.
Yet
there
was
something
in
the
gentle
sad
look
that
met
him
,
and
in
the
low
tone
of
the
'
How
d'ye
do
,
Ritchie
?
'
that
drove
off
all
thought
of
not
being
loved
;
and
when
Dr.
May
further
added
,
'
You
'll
see
about
it
all
—
I
am
glad
you
are
come
,
'
he
knew
he
was
of
use
,
and
was
encouraged
and
cheered
.
That
his
father
had
full
confidence
and
reliance
in
him
,
and
that
his
presence
was
a
satisfaction
and
relief
,
he
could
no
longer
doubt
;
and
this
was
a
drop
of
balm
beyond
all
his
hopes
;
for
loving
and
admiring
his
father
intensely
,
and
with
depressed
spirits
and
a
low
estimate
of
himself
,
he
had
begun
to
fancy
himself
incapable
of
being
anything
but
a
vexation
and
burthen
.
He
sat
with
his
father
nearly
all
the
evening
,
and
was
to
remain
with
him
at
night
.
The
rest
were
comforted
by
the
assurance
that
Dr.
May
was
still
calm
,
and
did
not
seem
to
have
been
injured
by
what
had
passed
.
Indeed
,
it
seemed
as
if
the
violence
and
suddenness
of
the
shock
,
together
with
his
state
of
suffering
,
had
deadened
his
sensations
;
for
there
was
far
less
agitation
about
him
than
could
have
been
thought
possible
in
a
man
of
such
strong
,
warm
affections
and
sensitive
temperament
.
Ethel
and
Norman
went
up
arm-in-arm
at
bed-time
.
'
I
am
going
to
ask
if
I
may
wish
papa
good
night
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Shall
I
say
anything
about
your
coming
?
'
Norman
hesitated
,
but
his
cheeks
blanched
;
he
shuddered
,
shook
his
head
without
speaking
,
ran
up
after
Harry
,
and
waved
her
back
when
she
would
have
followed
.
Richard
told
her
that
she
might
come
in
,
and
,
as
she
slowly
advanced
,
she
thought
she
had
never
seen
anything
so
ineffably
mournful
as
the
affectionate
look
on
her
father
's
face
.
She
held
his
hand
and
ventured
—
for
it
was
with
difficulty
she
spoke
—
to
hope
he
was
not
in
pain
.
'
Better
than
it
was
,
thank
you
,
my
dear
,
'
he
said
,
in
a
soft
weak
tone
;
then
,
as
she
bent
down
to
kiss
his
brow
,
'
You
must
take
care
of
the
little
ones
.
'
'
Yes
,
papa
,
'
she
could
hardly
answer
,
and
a
large
drop
gathered
slowly
in
each
eye
,
long
in
coming
,
as
if
the
heart
ached
too
much
for
them
to
flow
freely
.
'
Are
they
all
well
?
'
'
Yes
,
papa
.
'
'
And
good
?
