isso
fond
of
study
,
and
that
goes
half
way
.
'
'
So
is
dear
Harvey
.
How
earnest
he
is
over
his
books
!
Mamma
sometimes
says
,
"
Now
Harvey
,
dear
,
you
'll
be
quite
stupified
,
you
'll
be
ill
;
I
really
shall
get
Dr.
May
to
forbid
you
.
"
I
suppose
Norman
is
very
busy
too
;
it
is
quite
the
fashion
for
boys
not
to
be
idle
now
.
'
'
Poor
Norman
ca
n't
help
it
,
'
said
Ethel
,
piteously
.
'
Papa
will
not
hear
of
his
doing
any
Latin
or
Greek
these
whole
holidays
.
'
'
He
thinks
he
will
come
to
it
better
again
for
entire
rest
,
'
said
Flora
,
launching
another
look
at
her
sister
,
which
again
fell
short
.
A
great
deal
of
polite
inquiry
whether
they
were
uneasy
about
him
followed
,
mixed
with
a
little
boasting
of
dear
Harvey
's
diligence
.
'
By-the-bye
,
Ethel
,
it
is
you
that
are
the
great
patroness
of
the
wild
Cocksmoor
children
—
are
not
you
?
'
Ethel
coloured
,
and
mumbled
,
and
Flora
answered
for
her
,
'
Richard
and
Ethel
have
been
there
once
or
twice
.
You
know
our
under
nursery-maid
is
a
Cocksmoor
girl
.
'
'
Well
,
mamma
said
she
could
not
think
how
Miss
May
could
take
one
from
thence
.
The
whole
place
is
full
of
thieves
,
and
do
you
know
,
Bessie
Boulder
has
lost
her
gold
pencil-case
.
'
'
Has
she
?
'
said
Flora
.
'
And
she
had
it
on
Sunday
when
she
was
teaching
her
class
.
'
'
Oh
!
'
cried
Ethel
,
vehemently
;
'
surely
she
does
not
suspect
any
of
those
poor
children
!
'
'
I
only
know
such
a
thing
never
happened
at
school
before
,
'
said
Fanny
,
'
and
I
shall
never
take
anything
valuable
there
again
.
'
'
But
is
she
sure
she
lost
it
at
school
?
'
'
O
yes
,
quite
certain
.
She
will
not
accuse
anyone
,
but
it
is
not
comfortable
.
And
how
those
children
do
behave
at
Church
!
'
'
Poor
things
!
they
have
been
sadly
neglected
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
They
are
quite
spoiling
the
rest
,
and
they
are
such
figures
!
Why
do
n't
you
,
at
least
,
make
them
cut
their
hair
?
You
know
it
is
the
rule
of
the
school
.
'
'
I
know
,
but
half
the
girls
in
the
first
class
wear
it
long
.
'
'
Oh
,
yes
,
but
those
are
the
superior
people
,
that
one
would
not
be
strict
with
,
and
they
dress
it
so
nicely
too
.
Now
these
are
like
little
savages
.
'
'
Richard
thinks
it
might
drive
them
away
to
insist
at
first
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
we
will
try
to
bring
it
about
in
time
.
'
'
Well
,
Mrs.
Ledwich
is
nearly
resolved
to
insist
,
so
you
had
better
be
warned
,
Ethel
.
She
cannot
suffer
such
untidiness
and
rags
to
spoil
the
appearance
of
the
school
,
and
,
I
assure
you
,
it
is
quite
unpleasant
to
the
teachers
.
'
'
I
wish
they
would
give
them
all
to
me
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
But
I
do
hope
Mrs.
Ledwich
will
have
patience
with
them
,
for
they
are
only
to
be
gained
gently
.
'
The
visitors
took
their
leave
,
and
the
two
sisters
began
exclaiming
—
Ethel
at
their
dislike
of
her
protégés
,
and
Flora
at
what
they
had
said
of
Norman
.
'
And
you
,
Ethel
,
how
could
you
go
and
tell
them
we
were
surprised
,
and
Norman
thought
it
was
hard
on
the
other
boys
?
They
'll
have
it
all
over
the
town
that
he
got
it
unjustly
,
and
knows
it
,
as
they
say
already
it
was
partiality
of
Mr.
Everard
's
.
'
O
no
,
no
,
they
never
can
be
so
bad
!
'
cried
Ethel
;
'
they
must
have
understood
better
that
it
was
his
noble
humility
and
generosity
.
'
'
They
understand
anything
noble
!
No
indeed
!
They
think
everyone
like
their
own
beautiful
brother
!
I
knew
what
they
came
for
all
the
time
;
they
wanted
to
know
whether
Norman
was
able
to
work
these
holidays
,
and
you
told
them
the
very
thing
they
wanted
to
hear
.
How
they
will
rejoice
with
that
Harvey
,
and
make
sure
of
the
Randall
!
'
'
O
no
,
no
!
'
cried
Ethel
;
'
Norman
must
get
that
!
'
'
I
do
n't
think
he
will
,
'
said
Flora
,
'
losing
all
this
time
,
while
they
are
working
.
It
cannot
be
helped
,
of
course
,
but
it
is
a
great
pity
.
'
'
I
almost
wish
he
had
not
been
put
up
at
all
,
if
it
is
to
end
in
this
way
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
It
is
very
provoking
,
and
to
have
them
triumphing
as
they
will
!
There
's
no
bearing
it
!
'
'
Norman
,
certainly
,
is
not
at
all
well
,
poor
fellow
,
'
said
Flora
,
'
and
I
suppose
he
wants
rest
,
but
I
wish
papa
would
let
him
do
what
he
can
.
It
would
be
much
better
for
him
than
moping
about
as
he
is
always
doing
now
;
and
the
disappointment
of
losing
his
place
will
be
grievous
,
though
now
he
fancies
he
does
not
care
for
it
.
'
'
I
wonder
when
he
will
ever
care
for
anything
again
.
All
I
read
and
tell
him
only
seems
to
teaze
him
,
though
he
tries
to
thank
me
.
'
'
There
is
a
strange
apathy
about
him
,
'
said
Flora
,
'
but
I
believe
it
is
chiefly
for
want
of
exertion
.
I
should
like
to
rouse
him
if
papa
would
let
me
;
I
know
I
could
,
by
telling
him
how
these
Andersons
are
reckoning
on
his
getting
down
.
If
he
does
,
I
shall
be
ready
to
run
away
,
that
I
may
never
meet
anyone
here
again
.
'
Ethel
was
very
unhappy
till
she
was
able
to
pour
all
this
trouble
out
to
Margaret
,
and
worked
herself
almost
into
crying
about
Norman
's
being
passed
by
'
that
Harvey
,
'
and
his
sisters
exulting
,
and
papa
being
vexed
,
and
Norman
losing
time
and
not
caring
.
'
There
you
are
wrong
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
Norman
did
care
very
much
,
and
it
was
not
till
he
had
seen
clearly
that
it
was
a
matter
of
duty
to
do
as
papa
thought
right
,
and
not
agitate
his
mind
about
his
chances
of
keeping
up
,
that
he
could
bear
to
give
up
his
work
;
and
she
told
Ethel
a
little
of
what
had
passed
.
Ethel
was
much
struck
.
'
But
oh
!
Margaret
,
it
is
very
hard
,
just
to
have
him
put
up
for
the
sake
of
being
put
down
,
and
pleasing
the
Andersons
!
'
'
Dear
Ethel
,
why
should
you
mind
so
much
about
the
Andersons
?
May
they
not
care
about
their
brother
as
we
do
for
ours
?
'
'
Such
a
brother
to
care
about
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
But
I
suppose
they
may
like
him
the
best
,
'
said
Margaret
,
smiling
.
'
I
suppose
they
do
,
said
Ethel
,
grudgingly
;
'
but
still
I
cannot
bear
to
see
Norman
doing
nothing
,
and
know
Harvey
Anderson
will
beat
him
.
'
'
Surely
you
had
rather
he
did
nothing
than
made
himself
ill
.
'
'
To
be
sure
,
but
I
wish
it
was
n't
so
.
'
'
Yes
;
but
,
Ethel
,
whose
doing
is
his
getting
into
this
state
?
'
Ethel
looked
grave
.
'
It
was
wrong
of
me
,
'
said
she
,
'
but
then
papa
is
not
sure
that
Greek
would
hurt
him
.
'
'
Not
sure
,
but
he
thinks
it
not
wise
to
run
the
risk
.
But
,
Ethel
,
dear
,
why
are
you
so
bent
on
his
being
Dux
at
all
costs
?
'
'
It
would
be
horrid
if
he
was
not
.
'
'
Do
n't
you
remember
you
used
to
say
that
outward
praise
or
honour
was
not
to
be
cared
for
as
long
as
one
did
one
's
duty
,
and
that
it
might
be
a
temptation
?
'
'
Yes
,
I
know
I
did
,
'
said
Ethel
,
faltering
,
'
but
that
was
for
one
's
self
.
'
'
It
is
harder
,
I
think
,
to
feel
so
about
those
we
care
for
,
'
said
Margaret
;
'
but
after
all
,
this
is
just
what
will
show
whether
our
pride
in
Norman
is
the
right
true
loving
pride
,
or
whether
it
is
only
the
family
vanity
of
triumphing
over
the
Andersons
.
'
Ethel
hung
her
head
.
'
There
's
some
of
that
,
'
she
said
,
'
but
it
is
not
all
.
No
—
I
do
n't
want
to
triumph
over
them
,
nobody
would
do
that
.
'
'
Not
outwardly
perhaps
,
but
in
their
hearts
.
'
'
I
ca
n't
tell
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
but
it
is
the
being
triumphed
over
that
I
cannot
bear
.
'
'
Perhaps
this
is
all
a
lesson
in
humility
for
us
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
It
is
teaching
us
,
"
Whosoever
exalteth
himself
shall
be
abased
,
and
he
that
humbleth
himself
shall
be
exalted
.
"
'
Ethel
was
silent
for
some
little
space
,
then
suddenly
exclaimed
,
'
And
you
think
he
will
really
be
put
down
?
'
Margaret
seemed
to
have
been
talking
with
little
effect
,
but
she
kept
her
patience
,
and
answered
,
'
I
cannot
guess
,
Ethel
,
but
I
'll
tell
you
one
thing
—
I
think
there
's
much
more
chance
if
he
comes
to
his
work
fresh
and
vigorous
after
a
rest
,
than
if
he
went
on
dulling
himself
with
it
all
this
time
.
'
With
which
Ethel
was
so
far
appeased
that
she
promised
to
think
as
little
as
she
could
of
the
Andersons
,
and
a
walk
with
Richard
to
Cocksmoor
turned
the
current
of
her
thoughts
.
They
had
caught
some
more
Sunday-school
children
by
the
help
of
Margaret
's
broth
,
but
it
was
up-hill
work
;
the
servants
did
not
like
such
guests
in
the
kitchen
,
and
they
were
still
less
welcome
at
school
.
'
What
do
you
think
I
heard
,
Ethel
?
'
said
Flora
,
the
next
Sunday
,
as
they
joined
each
other
in
the
walk
from
School
to
Church
;
'
I
heard
Miss
Graves
say
to
Miss
Boulder
,
"
I
declare
I
must
remonstrate
.
I
undertook
to
instruct
a
national
,
not
a
ragged
school
;
"
and
then
Miss
Boulder
shook
out
her
fine
watered
silk
and
said
,
"
It
positively
is
improper
to
place
ladies
in
contact
with
such
squalid
objects
.
"
'
'
Ladies
!
'
cried
Ethel
.
'
A
stationer
's
daughter
and
a
banker
's
clerk
's
!
Why
do
they
come
to
teach
at
school
at
all
?
'
'
Because
our
example
makes
it
genteel
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
I
hope
you
did
something
more
in
hopes
of
making
it
genteel
.
'
'
I
caught
one
of
your
ragged
regiment
with
her
frock
gaping
behind
,
and
pinned
it
up
.
Such
rags
as
there
were
under
it
!
O
Ethel
!
'
'
Which
was
it
?
'
'
That
merry
Irish-looking
child
.
I
do
n't
know
her
name
.
'
'
Oh
!
it
is
a
real
charming
Irish
name
,
Una
M'Carthy
.
I
am
so
glad
you
did
it
,
Flora
.
I
hope
they
were
ashamed
.
'
'
I
doubt
whether
it
will
do
good
.
We
are
sure
of
our
station
and
can
do
anything
—
they
are
struggling
to
be
ladies
.
'
'
But
we
ought
not
to
talk
of
them
any
more
,
Flora
;
here
we
are
almost
at
the
Churchyard
.
'
The
Tuesday
of
this
week
was
appointed
for
the
visit
of
the
London
surgeon
,
Sir
Matthew
Fleet
,
and
the
expectation
caused
Dr.
May
to
talk
much
to
Margaret
of
old
times
,
and
the
days
of
his
courtship
,
when
it
had
been
his
favorite
project
that
his
friend
and
fellow-student
should
marry
Flora
Mackenzie
,
and
there
had
been
a
promising
degree
of
liking
,
but
'
Mat
'
had
been
obliged
to
be
prudent
,
and
had
ended
by
never
marrying
at
all
.
This
the
Doctor
,
as
well
as
his
daughters
,
believed
was
for
the
sake
of
Aunt
Flora
,
and
thus
the
girls
were
a
good
deal
excited
about
his
coming
,
almost
as
much
on
his
own
account
,
as
because
they
considered
him
as
the
arbitrer
of
Margaret
's
fate
.
He
only
came
in
time
for
a
seven
o'clock
dinner
,
and
Margaret
did
not
see
him
that
night
,
but
heard
enough
from
her
sisters
,
when
they
came
up
to
tell
the
history
of
their
guest
,
and
of
the
first
set
dinner
when
Flora
had
acted
as
lady
of
the
,
house
.
The
dinner
it
appeared
had
gone
off
very
well
.
Flora
had
managed
admirably
,
and
the
only
mishap
was
some
awkward
carving
of
Ethel
's
which
had
caused
the
dish
to
be
changed
with
Norman
.
As
to
the
guest
,
Flora
said
he
was
very
good-looking
and
agreeable
.
Ethel
abruptly
pronounced
,
'
I
am
very
glad
Aunt
Flora
married
Uncle
Arnott
instead
.
'
'
I
ca
n't
think
why
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
I
never
saw
a
person
of
pleasanter
manners
.
'
'
Did
they
talk
of
old
times
?
'
said
Margaret
.
'
No
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
that
was
the
thing
.
'
'
You
would
not
have
them
talk
of
those
matters
in
the
middle
of
dinner
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
No
,
'
again
said
Ethel
;
'
but
papa
has
a
way
—
do
n't
you
know
,
Margaret
,
how
one
can
tell
in
a
moment
if
it
is
company
talk
.
'
'
What
was
the
conversation
about
?
'
said
Margaret
.
'
They
talked
over
some
of
their
old
fellow-students
,
'
said
Flora
.
'
Yes
,
'
said
Ethel
;
'
and
then
when
papa
told
him
that
beautiful
history
of
Dr.
Spencer
going
to
take
care
of
those
poor
emigrants
in
the
fever
,
what
do
you
think
he
said
?
"
Yes
,
Spencer
was
always
doing
extravagant
things
.
"
Fancy
that
to
papa
,
who
can
hardly
speak
of
it
without
having
to
wipe
his
spectacles
,
and
who
so
longs
to
hear
of
Dr.
Spencer
.
'
'
And
what
did
he
say
?
'
'
Nothing
;
so
Flora
and
Sir
Matthew
got
to
pictures
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
,
and
it
was
all
company
talk
after
that
.
'
'
Most
entertaining
in
its
kind
,
'
said
Flora
:
'
but
—
oh
,
Norman
!
'
as
he
entered
—
'
why
they
are
not
out
of
the
dining-room
yet
!
'
'
No
;
they
are
talking
of
some
new
invention
,
and
most
likely
will
not
come
for
an
hour
.
'
'
Are
you
going
to
bed
?
'
'
Papa
followed
me
out
of
the
dining-room
to
tell
me
to
do
so
after
tea
.
'
'
Then
sit
down
there
,
and
I
'll
go
and
make
some
,
and
let
it
come
up
with
Margaret
's
.
Come
,
Ethel
.
Good
night
,
Norman
.
Is
your
head
aching
to-night
?
'
'
Not
much
,
now
I
have
got
out
of
the
dining-room
.
'
'
It
would
have
been
wiser
not
to
have
gone
in
,
'
said
Flora
,
leaving
the
room
.
'
It
was
not
the
dinner
,
but
the
man
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
It
is
incomprehensible
to
me
how
my
father
could
take
to
him
.
I
'd
as
soon
have
Harvey
Anderson
for
a
friend
!
'
'
You
are
like
me
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
in
being
glad
he
is
not
our
uncle
.
'
'
He
presume
to
think
of
falling
in
love
with
Aunt
Flora
!
'
cried
Norman
,
indignantly
.
'
Why
,
what
is
the
matter
with
him
?
'
asked
Margaret
.
'
I
ca
n't
find
much
ground
for
Ethel
's
dislike
,
and
Flora
is
pleased
.
'
'
She
did
not
hear
the
worst
,
nor
you
either
,
Ethel
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
I
could
not
stand
the
cold
hard
way
he
spoke
of
hospital
patients
.
'
I
am
sure
he
thinks
poor
people
nothing
but
a
study
,
and
rich
ones
nothing
but
a
profit
.
And
his
half
sneers
!
But
what
I
hated
most
was
his
way
of
avoiding
discussions
.
When
he
saw
he
had
said
what
would
not
go
down
with
papa
,
he
did
not
honestly
stand
up
to
the
point
,
and
argue
it
out
,
but
seemed
to
have
no
mind
of
his
own
,
and
to
be
only
talking
to
please
papa
—
but
not
knowing
how
to
do
it
.
He
understand
my
father
indeed
!
'
Norman
's
indignation
had
quite
revived
him
,
and
Margaret
was
much
entertained
with
the
conflicting
opinions
.
The
next
was
Richard
's
,
when
he
came
in
late
to
wish
her
good
night
,
after
he
had
been
attending
on
Sir
Matthew
's
examination
of
his
father
's
arm
.
He
did
nothing
but
admire
the
surgeon
's
delicacy
of
touch
and
understanding
of
the
case
,
his
view
agreeing
much
better
with
Dr.
May
's
own
than
with
Mr.
Ward
's
.
Dr.
May
had
never
been
entirely
satisfied
with
the
present
mode
of
treatment
,
and
Richard
was
much
struck
by
hearing
him
say
,
in
answer
to
Sir
Matthew
,
that
he
knew
his
recovery
might
have
been
more
speedy
and
less
painful
if
he
had
been
able
to
attend
to
it
at
first
,
or
to
afford
time
for
being
longer
laid
up
.
A
change
of
treatment
was
now
to
be
made
,
likely
soon
to
relieve
the
pain
,
to
be
less
tedious
and
trouble-some
,
and
to
bring
about
a
complete
cure
in
three
or
four
months
at
latest
.
In
hearing
such
tidings
,
there
could
be
little
thought
of
the
person
who
brought
them
,
and
Margaret
did
not
,
till
the
last
moment
,
learn
that
Richard
thought
Sir
Matthew
very
clever
and
sensible
,
and
certain
to
understand
her
case
.
Her
last
visitor
was
her
father
:
'
Asleep
,
Margaret
?
I
thought
I
had
better
go
to
Norman
first
in
case
he
should
be
awake
.
'
'
Was
he
?
'
'
Yes
,
but
his
pulse
is
better
to-night
.
He
was
lying
awake
to
hear
what
Fleet
thought
of
me
.
I
suppose
Richard
told
you
.
'
'
Yes
,
dear
papa
,
what
a
comfort
it
is
!
'
'
Those
fellows
in
London
do
keep
up
to
the
mark
!
But
I
would
not
be
there
for
something
.
I
never
saw
a
man
so
altered
.
However
,
if
he
can
only
do
for
you
as
well
—
but
it
is
of
no
use
talking
about
it
.
I
may
trust
you
to
keep
yourself
calm
,
my
dear
?
'
'
I
am
trying
—
indeed
I
am
,
dear
papa
.
If
you
could
help
being
anxious
for
me
—
though
I
know
it
is
worse
for
you
,
for
I
only
have
to
lie
still
,
and
you
have
to
settle
for
me
.
But
I
have
been
thinking
how
well
off
I
am
,
able
to
enjoy
so
much
,
and
be
employed
all
day
long
.
It
is
nothing
to
compare
with
that
poor
girl
you
told
me
of
,
and
you
need
not
be
unhappy
for
me
.
I
have
some
verses
to
say
over
to
myself
to-night
:
"
O
Lord
my
God
,
do
Thou
Thy
holy
will
,
I
will
lie
still
,
I
will
not
stir
,
lest
I
forsake
.
Thine
arm
And
break
the
charm
That
lulls
me
,
clinging
to
my
Father
's
breast
In
perfect
rest
.
"
Is
not
that
comfortable
?
'
'
My
child
—
my
dear
child
—
I
will
say
no
more
,
lest
I
should
break
your
sweet
peace
with
my
impatience
.
I
will
strive
for
the
same
temper
,
my
Margaret
.
Bless
you
,
dearest
,
good-night
.
'
After
a
night
spent
in
waking
intervals
of
such
thoughts
,
Margaret
found
the
ordinary
morning
,
and
the
talk
she
could
not
escape
,
somewhat
oppressive
.
Her
brothers
and
sisters
disturbed
her
by
their
open
expressions
of
hope
and
anxiety
;
she
dreaded
to
have
the
balance
of
tranquillity
overset
;
and
then
blamed
herself
for
selfishness
in
not
being
as
ready
to
attend
to
them
as
usual
.
Ethel
and
Norman
came
up
after
breakfast
,
their
aversion
by
no
means
decreased
by
further
acquaintance
.
Ethel
was
highly
indignant
at
the
tone
in
which
he
had
exclaimed
,
'
What
,
May
,
have
you
one
as
young
as
this
?
'
on
discovering
the
existence
of
the
baby
;
and
when
Norman
observed
that
was
not
so
atrocious
either
,
she
proceeded
,
'
You
did
not
hear
the
contemptuous
compassionate
tone
when
he
asked
papa
what
he
meant
to
do
with
all
these
boys
.
'
'
I
'm
glad
he
has
not
to
settle
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
Papa
said
Harry
was
to
be
a
sailor
,
and
he
said
it
was
a
good
way
to
save
expenses
of
education
—
a
good
thing
.
'
'
No
doubt
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
he
thinks
papa
only
wants
to
get
rid
of
us
,
or
if
not
,
that
it
is
an
amiable
weakness
.
'
'
But
I
ca
n't
see
anything
so
shocking
in
this
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
It
is
not
the
words
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
the
look
and
tone
convey
it
;
but
there
are
different
opinions
.
Flora
is
quite
smitten
with
him
,
he
talks
so
politely
to
her
.
'
'
And
Blanche
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
The
little
affected
pussy-cat
made
a
set
at
him
,
bridled
and
talked
in
her
mincing
voice
,
with
all
her
airs
,
and
made
him
take
a
great
deal
of
notice
of
her
.
'
Nurse
here
came
to
prepare
for
the
surgeon
's
visit
.
It
was
over
,
and
Margaret
awaited
the
judgment
.
Sir
Matthew
had
spoken
hopefully
to
her
,
but
she
feared
to
fasten
hopes
on
what
might
have
no
meaning
,
and
could
rely
on
nothing
,
till
she
had
seen
her
father
,
who
never
kept
back
his
genuine
opinion
,
and
would
least
of
all
from
her
.
She
found
her
spirits
too
much
agitated
to
talk
to
her
sisters
,
and
quietly
begged
them
to
let
her
be
quite
alone
till
the
consultation
was
over
,
and
she
lay
trying
to
prepare
herself
to
submit
thankfully
,
whether
she
might
be
bidden
to
resign
herself
to
helplessness
,
or
to
let
her
mind
open
once
more
to
visions
of
joyous
usefulness
.
Every
step
she
hoped
would
prove
to
be
her
father
's
approach
,
and
the
longest
hour
of
her
life
was
that
before
he
entered
her
room
.
His
face
said
that
the
tidings
were
good
,
and
yet
she
could
not
ask
.
'
Well
,
Margaret
,
I
am
glad
we
had
him
down
.
He
thinks
you
may
get
about
again
,
though
it
may
be
a
long
time
first
.
'
'
Does
he
—
oh
papa
!
'
and
the
colour
spread
over
her
face
,
as
she
squeezed
his
hand
very
fast
.
'
He
has
known
the
use
of
the
limbs
return
almost
suddenly
after
even
a
year
or
two
,
'
and
Dr.
May
gave
her
the
grounds
of
the
opinion
,
and
an
account
of
other
like
cases
,
which
he
said
had
convinced
him
,
'
though
,
my
poor
child
,
'
he
said
,
'
I
feared
the
harm
I
had
done
you
was
irremediable
,
but
thanks
—
'
He
turned
away
his
face
,
and
the
clasp
of
their
hands
spoke
the
rest
.
Presently
he
told
Margaret
that
she
was
no
longer
to
be
kept
prostrate
,
but
she
was
to
do
exactly
as
was
most
comfortable
to
her
,
avoiding
nothing
but
fatigue
.
She
might
be
lifted
to
the
sofa
the
next
day
,
and
if
that
agreed
with
her
,
she
might
be
carried
down-stairs
.
This
,
in
itself
,
after
she
had
been
confined
to
her
bed
for
three
months
,
was
a
release
from
captivity
,
and
all
the
brothers
and
sisters
rejoiced
as
if
she
was
actually
on
her
feet
again
.
Richard
betook
himself
to
constructing
a
reading
frame
for
the
sofa
;
Harry
tormented
Miss
Winter
by
insisting
on
a
holiday
for
the
others
,
aud
gained
the
day
by
an
appeal
to
his
father
;
then
declared
he
should
go
and
tell
Mr.
Wilmot
the
good
news
;
and
Norman
,
quite
enlivened
,
took
up
his
hat
,
and
said
he
would
come
too
.
In
all
his
joy
,
however
,
Dr.
May
could
not
cease
bewailing
the
alteration
in
his
old
friend
,
and
spent
half
the
evening
in
telling
Margaret
how
different
he
had
once
been
,
in
terms
little
less
measured
than
Ethel
's
:
'
I
never
saw
such
a
change
.
Mat
Fleet
was
one
of
the
most
warm
,
open-hearted
fellows
in
the
world
,
up
to
anything
.
I
can
hardly
believe
he
is
the
same
—
turned
into
a
mere
machine
,
with
a
moving
spring
of
self-interest
!
I
do
n't
believe
he
cares
a
rush
for
any
living
thing
!
Except
for
your
sake
,
Margaret
,
I
wish
I
had
never
seen
him
again
,
and
only
remembered
him
as
he
was
at
Edinburgh
,
as
I
remember
dear
old
Spencer
.
It
is
a
grievous
thing
!
Ruined
entirely
!
No
doubt
that
London
life
must
be
trying
—
the
constant
change
and
bewilderment
of
patients
preventing
much
individual
care
and
interest
.
It
must
be
very
hardening
.
No
family
ties
either
,
nothing
to
look
to
but
pushing
his
way
.
Yes
!
there
's
great
excuse
for
poor
Mat
.
I
never
knew
fully
till
now
the
blessing
it
was
that
your
dear
mother
was
willing
to
take
me
so
early
,
and
that
this
place
was
open
to
me
with
all
its
home
connexions
and
interests
.
I
am
glad
I
never
had
anything
to
do
with
London
!
'
And
when
he
was
alone
with
Norman
,
he
could
not
help
saying
,
'
Norman
,
my
boy
,
I
'm
more
glad
than
ever
you
yielded
to
me
about
your
Greek
these
holidays
,
and
for
the
reason
you
did
.
Take
care
the
love
of
rising
and
pushing
never
gets
hold
of
you
;
there
's
nothing
that
faster
changes
a
man
from
his
better
self
.
'
Meanwhile
,
Sir
Matthew
Fleet
had
met
another
old
college
friend
in
London
,
and
was
answering
his
inquiries
for
the
Dick
May
of
ancient
times
.
'
Poor
May
!
I
never
saw
a
man
so
thrown
away
.
With
his
talent
and
acuteness
,
he
might
be
the
most
eminent
man
of
his
day
,
if
he
had
only
known
how
to
use
them
.
But
he
was
always
the
same
careless
soft-hearted
fellow
,
never
knowing
how
to
do
himself
any
good
,
and
he
is
the
same
still
,
not
a
day
older
nor
wiser
.
It
was
a
fatal
thing
for
him
that
there
was
that
country
practice
ready
for
him
to
step
into
,
and
even
of
that
he
does
not
make
as
good
a
thing
as
he
might
.
Of
course
he
married
early
,
and
there
he
is
,
left
a
widower
with
a
house
full
of
children
—
screaming
babies
,
and
great
tall
sons
growing
up
,
and
he
without
a
notion
what
he
shall
do
with
them
,
as
heedless
as
ever
—
saving
nothing
of
course
.
I
always
knew
it
was
what
he
would
come
to
,
if
he
would
persist
in
burying
himself
in
that
wretched
little
country
town
,
but
I
hardly
thought
,
after
all
he
has
gone
through
,
to
find
him
such
a
mere
boy
still
.
And
yet
he
is
one
of
the
cleverest
men
I
ever
met
—
with
such
talent
,
and
such
thorough
knowledge
of
his
profession
,
that
it
does
one
good
to
hear
him
talk
.
Poor
May
!
I
am
sorry
for
him
,
he
might
have
been
anything
,
but
that
early
marriage
and
country
practice
were
the
ruin
of
him
.
'
CHAPTER
XIV
.
'
To
thee
,
dear
maid
,
each
kindly
wile
Was
known
,
that
elder
sisters
know
,
To
check
the
unseasonable
smile
With
warning
hand
and
serious
brow
.
From
dream
to
dream
with
her
to
rove
,
Like
fairy
nurse
with
hermit
child
;
Teach
her
to
think
,
to
pray
,
to
love
,
Make
grief
less
bitter
,
joy
less
wild
.
'
Lines
on
a
Monument
at
Lichfield
.
Sir
Matthew
Fleet
's
visit
seemed
like
a
turning-point
with
the
May
family
,
rousing
and
giving
them
revived
hopes
.
Norman
began
to
shake
off
his
extreme
languor
and
depression
,
the
Doctor
was
relieved
from
much
of
the
wearing
suffering
from
his
hurt
,
and
his
despondency
as
to
Margaret
's
ultimate
recovery
had
been
driven
away
.
The
experiment
of
taking
her
up
succeeded
so
well
,
that
on
Sunday
she
was
fully
attired
,
'
fit
to
receive
company
.
'
As
she
lay
on
the
sofa
there
seemed
an
advance
toward
recovery
.
Much
sweet
coquetry
was
expended
in
trying
to
look
her
best
for
her
father
;
and
her
best
was
very
well
,
for
though
the
brilliant
bloom
of
health
was
gone
,
her
cheeks
had
not
lost
their
pretty
rounded
contour
,
and
still
had
some
rosiness
,
while
her
large
bright
blue
eyes
smiled
and
sparkled
.
A
screen
shut
out
the
rest
of
the
room
,
making
a
sort
of
little
parlour
round
the
fire
,
where
sundry
of
the
family
were
visiting
her
after
coming
home
from
Church
in
the
afternoon
.
Ethel
was
in
a
vehement
state
of
indignation
at
what
had
that
day
happened
at
school
.
'
Did
you
ever
hear
anything
like
it
!
When
the
point
was
,
to
teach
the
poor
things
to
be
Christians
,
to
turn
them
back
,
because
their
hair
was
not
regulation
length
!
'
'
What
's
that
!
Who
did
?
'
said
Dr.
May
,
coming
in
from
his
own
room
,
where
he
had
heard
a
few
words
.
'
Mrs
.
Ledwich
.
She
sent
back
three
of
the
Cocksmoor
children
this
morning
.
It
seems
she
warned
them
last
Sunday
without
saying
a
word
to
us
.
'
'
Sent
them
back
from
Church
,
'
said
the
Doctor
.
'
Not
exactly
from
Church
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
It
is
the
same
in
effect
,
'
said
Ethel
,
'
to
turn
them
from
school
;
for
if
they
did
try
to
go
alone
,
the
pew-openers
would
drive
them
out
.
'
'
It
is
a
wretched
state
of
things
!
'
said
Dr.
May
,
who
never
wanted
much
provocation
to
begin
storming
about
parish
affairs
.
'
When
I
am
churchwarden
again
,
I
'll
see
what
can
be
done
about
the
seats
;
but
it
's
no
sort
of
use
,
while
Ramsden
goes
on
as
he
does
.
'
'
Now
my
poor
children
are
done
for
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
They
will
never
come
again
.
And
it
's
horrid
,
papa
;
there
are
lots
of
town
children
who
wear
immense
long
plaits
of
hair
,
and
Mrs.
Ledwich
never
interferes
with
them
.
It
is
entirely
to
drive
the
poor
Cocksmoor
ones
away
—
for
nothing
else
,
and
all
out
of
Fanny
Anderson
's
chatter
.
'
'
Ethel
,
my
dear
,
'
said
Margaret
,
pleadingly
.
'
Did
n't
I
tell
you
,
Margaret
,
how
,
as
soon
as
Flora
knew
what
Mrs.
Ledwich
was
going
to
do
,
she
went
and
told
her
this
was
the
children
's
only
chance
,
and
if
we
affronted
them
for
a
trifle
,
there
would
be
no
hope
of
getting
them
back
.
She
said
she
was
sorry
,
if
we
were
interested
for
them
,
but
rules
must
not
be
broken
;
and
when
Flora
spoke
of
all
who
do
wear
long
hair
unmolested
,
she
shuffled
and
said
,
for
the
sake
of
the
teachers
,
as
well
as
the
other
children
,
rags
and
dirt
could
not
be
allowed
;
and
then
she
brought
up
the
old
story
of
Miss
Boulder
's
pencil
,
though
she
has
found
it
again
,
and
ended
by
saying
Fanny
Anderson
told
her
it
was
a
serious
annoyance
to
the
teachers
,
and
she
was
sure
we
should
agree
with
her
,
that
something
was
due
to
voluntary
assistants
and
subscribers
.
'
'
I
am
afraid
there
has
been
a
regular
set
at
them
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
and
perhaps
they
are
troublesome
,
poor
things
.
'
'
As
if
school
keeping
were
for
luxury
!
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
It
is
the
worst
thing
I
have
heard
of
Mrs.
Ledwich
yet
!
One
's
blood
boils
to
think
of
those
poor
children
being
cast
off
because
our
fine
young
ladies
are
too
grand
to
teach
them
!
The
Clergyman
leaving
his
work
to
a
set
of
conceited
women
,
and
they
turning
their
backs
on
ignorance
,
when
it
comes
to
their
door
.
Voluntary
subscribers
,
indeed
!
I
've
a
great
mind
I
'll
be
one
no
longer
.
'
'
Oh
!
papa
,
that
would
not
be
fair
—
'
began
Ethel
;
but
Margaret
knew
he
would
not
act
on
this
,
squeezed
her
hand
,
and
silenced
her
.
'
One
thing
I
've
said
,
and
I
'll
hold
to
it
,
'
continued
Dr.
May
;
'
if
they
outvote
Wilmot
again
in
your
Ladies
'
Committee
,
I
'll
have
no
more
to
do
with
them
,
as
sure
as
my
name
's
Dick
May
.
It
is
a
scandal
the
way
things
are
done
here
!
'
'
Papa
,
'
said
Richard
,
who
had
all
the
time
been
standing
silent
,
'
Ethel
and
I
have
been
thinking
,
if
you
approved
,
whether
we
could
not
do
something
towards
teaching
the
Cocksmoor
children
,
and
breaking
them
in
for
the
Sunday
school
.
'
What
a
bound
Ethel
's
heart
gave
,
and
how
full
of
congratulation
and
sympathy
was
the
pressure
of
Margaret
's
hand
!
'
What
did
you
think
of
doing
?
'
said
the
Doctor
.
Ethel
burnt
to
reply
,
but
her
sister
's
hand
admonished
her
to
remember
her
compact
.
Richard
answered
,
'
We
thought
of
trying
to
get
a
room
,
and
going
perhaps
once
or
twice
a
week
to
give
them
a
little
teaching
.
It
would
be
little
enough
,
but
it
might
do
something
towards
civilizing
them
,
and
making
them
wish
for
more
.
'
'
How
do
you
propose
to
get
a
room
?
'
'
I
have
reconnoitred
,
and
I
think
I
know
a
cottage
with
a
tolerable
kitchen
,
which
I
dare
say
we
might
hire
for
an
afternoon
for
sixpence
.
'
Ethel
,
unable
to
bear
it
any
longer
,
threw
herself
forward
,
and
sitting
on
the
ground
at
her
father
's
feet
,
exclaimed
,
'
O
papa
!
papa
!
do
say
we
may
!
'
'
What
's
all
this
about
?
'
said
the
Doctor
,
surprised
.
'
Oh
!
you
do
n't
know
how
I
have
thought
of
it
day
and
night
these
two
months
!
'
'
What
!
Ethel
,
have
a
fancy
for
two
whole
months
,
and
the
whole
house
not
hear
of
it
!
'
said
her
father
,
with
a
rather
provoking
look
of
incredulity
.
'
Richard
was
afraid
of
bothering
you
,
and
would
n't
let
me
.
But
do
speak
,
papa
.
May
we
?
'
'
I
do
n't
see
any
objection
.
'
She
clasped
her
hands
in
ecstacy
.
'
Thank
you
!
thank
you
,
papa
!
O
Ritchie
!
Oh
!
Margaret
!
'
cried
she
,
in
a
breathless
voice
of
transport
.
'
You
have
worked
yourself
up
to
a
fine
pass
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
patting
the
agitated
girl
fondly
as
she
leant
against
his
knee
.
'
Remember
,
slow
and
steady
.
'
'
I
've
got
Richard
to
help
me
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Sufficient
guarantee
,
'
said
her
father
,
smiling
archly
as
he
looked
up
to
his
son
,
whose
fair
face
had
coloured
deep
red
.
'
You
will
keep
the
Unready
in
order
,
Ritchie
.
'
'
He
does
,
'
said
Margaret
;
'
he
has
taken
her
education
into
his
hands
,
and
I
really
believe
he
has
taught
her
to
hold
up
her
frock
and
stick
in
pins
.
'
'
And
to
know
her
right
hand
from
her
left
,
Eh
,
Ethel
?
Well
,
you
deserve
some
credit
,
then
.
Suppose
we
ask
Mr.
Wilmot
to
tea
,
and
talk
it
over
.
'
'
O
thank
you
,
papa
!
When
shall
it
be
?
To-morrow
?
'
'
Yes
,
if
you
like
.
I
have
to
go
to
the
town-council
meeting
,
and
am
not
going
into
the
country
,
so
I
shall
be
in
early
.
'
'
Thank
you
.
O
how
very
nice
!
'
'
And
what
about
cost
?
Do
you
expect
to
rob
me
?
'
'
If
you
would
help
us
,
'
said
Ethel
,
with
an
odd
shy
manner
;
'
we
meant
to
make
what
we
have
go
as
far
as
may
be
,
but
mine
is
only
fifteen
and
sixpence
.
'
'
Well
,
you
must
make
interest
with
Margaret
for
the
turn-out
of
my
pocket
to-morrow
.
'
'
Thank
you
,
we
are
very
much
obliged
,
'
said
the
brother
and
sister
,
earnestly
,
'
that
is
more
than
we
expected
.
'
'
Ha
!
do
n't
thank
too
soon
.
Suppose
to-morrow
should
be
a
blank
day
.
'
'
Oh
,
it
wo
n't
!
'
said
Ethel
.
'
I
shall
tell
Norman
to
make
you
go
to
paying
people
'
'
There
's
avarice
!
'
said
the
Doctor
.
'
But
look
you
here
,
Ethel
,
if
you
'll
take
my
advice
,
you
'll
make
your
bargain
for
Tuesday
.
I
have
a
note
appointing
me
to
call
at
Abbotstoke
Grange
on
Mr.
Rivers
,
at
twelve
o'clock
,
on
Tuesday
.
What
do
you
think
of
that
,
Ethel
?
An
old
banker
,
rich
enough
for
his
daughter
to
curl
her
hair
in
bank
notes
.
If
I
were
you
,
I
'd
make
a
bargain
for
him
.
'
'
If
he
had
nothing
the
matter
with
him
,
and
I
only
got
one
guinea
out
of
him
!
'
'
Prudence
!
Well
,
it
may
be
wiser
.
'
Ethel
ran
up
to
her
room
,
hardly
able
to
believe
that
the
mighty
proposal
was
made
;
and
it
had
been
so
readily
granted
,
that
it
seemed
as
if
Richard
's
caution
had
been
vain
in
making
such
a
delay
,
that
even
Margaret
had
begun
to
fear
that
the
street
of
by-and-by
was
leading
to
the
house
of
never
.
Now
,
however
,
it
was
plain
that
he
had
been
wise
.
Opportunity
was
everything
;
at
another
moment
,
their
father
might
have
been
harassed
and
oppressed
,
and
unable
to
give
his
mind
to
concerns
,
which
now
he
could
think
of
with
interest
,
and
Richard
could
not
have
caught
a
more
favourable
conjuncture
.
Ethel
was
in
a
wild
state
of
felicity
all
that
evening
and
the
next
day
,
very
unlike
her
brother
,
who
,
dismayed
at
the
open
step
he
had
taken
,
shrank
into
himself
,
and
in
his
shyness
dreaded
the
discussion
in
the
evening
,
and
would
almost
have
been
relieved
,
if
Mr.
Wilmot
had
been
unable
to
accept
the
invitation
.
So
quiet
and
grave
was
he
,
that
Ethel
could
not
get
him
to
talk
over
the
matter
at
all
with
her
,
and
she
was
obliged
to
bestow
all
her
transports
and
grand
projects
on
Flora
or
Margaret
,
when
she
could
gain
their
ears
,
besides
conning
them
over
to
herself
,
as
an
accompaniment
to
her
lessons
,
by
which
means
she
tried
Miss
Winter
's
patience
almost
beyond
measure
.
But
she
cared
not
—
she
saw
a
gathering
school
and
rising
Church
,
which
eclipsed
all
thought
of
present
inattentions
and
gaucheries
.
She
monopolized
Margaret
in
the
twilight
,
and
rhapsodized
to
her
heart
's
content
,
talking
faster
and
faster
,
and
looking
more
and
more
excited
.
Margaret
began
to
feel
a
little
overwhelmed
,
and
while
answering
'
yes
'
at
intervals
,
was
considering
whether
Ethel
had
not
been
flying
about
in
an
absent
inconsiderate
mood
all
day
,
and
whether
it
would
seem
unkind
to
damp
her
ardour
,
by
giving
her
a
hint
that
she
was
relaxing
her
guard
over
herself
.
Before
Margaret
had
steeled
herself
,
Ethel
was
talking
of
a
story
she
had
read
,
of
a
place
something
like
Cocksmoor
.
Margaret
was
not
ready
with
her
recollection
,
and
Ethel
,
saying
it
was
in
a
magazine
in
the
drawing-room
chiffoniere
,
declared
she
would
fetch
it
.
Margaret
knew
what
it
was
to
expect
her
visitors
to
return
'
in
one
moment
,
'
and
with
a
'
now-or-never
'
feeling
she
began
,
'
Ethel
dear
,
wait
,
'
but
Ethel
was
too
impetuous
to
attend
.
'
I
'll
be
back
in
a
twinkling
,
'
she
called
out
,
and
down
she
flew
,
in
her
speed
whisking
away
,
without
seeing
it
,
the
basket
with
Margaret
's
knitting
and
all
her
notes
and
papers
,
which
lay
scattered
on
the
floor
far
out
of
reach
,
vexing
Margaret
at
first
,
and
then
making
her
grieve
at
her
own
impatient
feeling
.
Ethel
was
soon
in
the
drawing-room
,
but
the
right
number
of
the
magazine
was
not
quickly
forthcoming
,
and
in
searching
she
became
embarked
in
another
story
.
Just
then
,
Aubrey
,
whose
stout
legs
were
apt
to
carry
him
into
every
part
of
the
house
where
he
was
neither
expected
nor
wanted
,
marched
in
at
the
open
door
,
trying
by
dint
of
vehement
gestures
to
make
her
understand
,
in
his
imperfect
speech
,
something
that
he
wanted
.
Very
particularly
troublesome
she
thought
him
,
more
especially
as
she
could
not
make
him
out
,
otherwise
than
that
he
wanted
her
to
do
something
with
the
newspaper
and
the
fire
.
She
made
a
boat
for
him
with
an
old
newspaper
,
a
very
hasty
and
frail
performance
,
and
told
him
to
sail
it
on
the
carpet
,
and
be
Mr.
Ernescliffe
going
away
;
and
she
thought
him
thus
safely
disposed
of
.
Returning
to
her
book
and
her
search
,
with
her
face
to
the
cupboard
,
and
her
book
held
up
to
catch
the
light
,
she
was
soon
lost
in
her
story
,
and
thought
of
nothing
more
till
suddenly
roused
by
her
father
's
voice
in
the
hall
,
loud
and
peremptory
with
alarm
,
'
Aubrey
!
put
that
down
!
'
She
looked
,
and
beheld
Aubrey
brandishing
a
great
flaming
paper
—
he
dropped
it
at
the
exclamation
—
it
fell
burning
on
the
carpet
.
Aubrey
's
white
pinafore
!
Ethel
was
springing
up
,
but
in
her
cramped
,
twisted
position
,
she
could
not
do
so
quickly
,
and
even
as
he
called
,
her
father
strode
by
her
,
snatched
at
Aubrey
's
merino
frock
,
which
he
crushed
over
the
scarcely
lighted
pinafore
,
and
trampled
out
the
flaming
paper
with
his
foot
.
It
was
a
moment
of
dreadful
fright
,
but
the
next
assured
them
that
no
harm
was
done
.
'
Ethel
!
'
cried
the
Doctor
,
'
are
you
mad
?
What
were
you
thinking
of
?
'
Aubrey
,
here
recollecting
himself
enough
to
be
frightened
at
his
father
's
voice
and
manner
,
burst
into
loud
cries
;
the
Doctor
pressed
him
closer
on
his
breast
,
caressed
and
soothed
him
.
Ethel
stood
by
,
pale
and
transfixed
with
horror
.
Her
father
was
more
angry
with
her
,
than
she
had
ever
seen
him
,
and
with
reason
,
as
she
knew
,
as
she
smelt
the
singeing
,
and
saw
a
large
burnt
hole
in
Aubrey
's
pinafore
,
while
the
front
of
his
frock
was
scorched
and
brown
.
Dr.
May
's
words
were
not
needed
,
'
What
could
make
you
let
him
?
'
'
I
did
n't
see
—
'
she
faultered
.
'
Did
n't
see
!
Did
n't
look
,
did
n't
think
,
did
n't
care
!
That
's
it
,
Ethel
.
'
Tis
very
hard
one
ca
n't
trust
you
in
a
room
with
the
child
any
more
than
the
baby
herself
.
His
frock
perfect
tinder
.
He
would
have
been
burnt
to
a
cinder
,
if
I
had
not
come
in
!
'
Aubrey
roared
afresh
,
and
Dr.
May
,
kissing
and
comforting
him
,
gathered
him
up
in
his
left
arm
,
and
carried
him
away
,
looking
back
at
the
door
to
say
,
'
There
's
no
bearing
it
!
I
'll
put
a
stop
to
all
schools
and
Greek
,
if
it
is
to
lead
to
this
,
and
make
you
good
for
nothing
!
'
Ethel
was
too
much
terrified
to
know
where
she
was
,
or
anything
,
but
that
she
had
let
her
little
brother
run
into
fearful
peril
,
and
grievously
angered
her
father
;
she
was
afraid
to
follow
him
,
and
stood
still
,
annihilated
,
and
in
despair
,
till
roused
by
his
return
;
then
,
with
a
stifled
sob
,
she
exclaimed
,
'
Oh
,
papa
!
'
and
could
get
no
further
for
a
gush
of
tears
.
But
the
anger
of
the
shock
of
terror
was
over
,
and
Dr.
May
was
sorry
for
her
tears
,
though
still
he
could
not
but
manifest
some
displeasure
.
'
Yes
,
Ethel
,
'
he
said
,
'
it
was
a
frightful
thing
,
'
and
he
could
not
but
shudder
again
.
'
One
moment
later
!
It
is
an
escape
to
be
for
ever
thankful
for
—
poor
little
fellow
—
but
Ethel
,
Ethel
,
do
let
it
be
a
warning
to
you
.
'
'
O
,
I
hope
—
I
'll
try
—
sobbed
Ethel
.
'
You
have
said
you
would
try
before
.
'
'
I
know
I
have
,
'
said
Ethel
,
choked
.
'
If
I
could
but
—
'
'
Poor
child
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
sadly
;
then
looking
earnestly
at
her
,
'
Ethel
,
my
dear
,
I
am
afraid
of
its
being
with
you
as
—
as
it
has
been
with
me
;
'
he
spoke
very
low
,
and
drew
her
close
to
him
.
'
I
grew
up
,
thinking
my
inbred
heedlessness
a
sort
of
grace
,
so
to
say
,
rather
manly
—
the
reverse
of
finikin
.
I
was
spoilt
as
a
boy
,
and
my
Maggie
carried
on
the
spoiling
,
by
never
letting
me
feel
its
effects
.
By
the
time
I
had
sense
enough
to
regret
this
as
a
fault
,
I
had
grown
too
old
for
changing
of
ingrain
,
long-nurtured
habits
—
perhaps
I
never
wished
it
really
.
You
have
seen
,
'
and
his
voice
was
nearly
inaudible
,
'
what
my
carelessness
has
come
to
—
let
that
suffice
at
least
,
as
a
lesson
that
may
spare
you
—
what
your
father
must
feel
as
long
as
he
lives
.
'
He
pressed
his
hand
tightly
on
her
shoulder
,
and
left
her
,
without
letting
her
see
his
face
.
Shocked
and
bewildered
,
she
hurried
upstairs
to
Margaret
.
She
threw
herself
on
her
knees
,
felt
her
arms
round
her
,
and
heard
her
kind
soothing
,
and
then
,
in
broken
words
,
told
how
dreadful
it
had
been
,
and
how
kind
papa
had
been
,
and
what
he
had
said
,
which
was
now
the
uppermost
thought
.
'
Oh
!
Margaret
,
Margaret
,
how
very
terrible
it
is
!
And
does
papa
really
think
so
?
'
'
I
believe
he
does
,
'
whispered
Margaret
.
'
How
can
he
,
can
he
bear
it
!
'
said
Ethel
,
clasping
her
hands
.
'
O
it
is
enough
to
kill
one
—
I
ca
n't
think
why
it
did
not
!
'
'
He
bears
it
,
'
said
Margaret
,
'
because
he
is
so
very
good
,
that
help
and
comfort
do
come
to
him
.
Dear
papa
!
He
bears
up
because
it
is
right
,
and
for
our
sakes
,
and
he
has
a
sort
of
rest
in
that
perfect
love
they
had
for
each
other
.
He
knows
how
she
would
wish
him
to
cheer
up
and
look
to
the
end
,
and
support
and
comfort
are
given
to
him
,
I
know
they
are
;
but
oh
,
Ethel
!
it
does
make
one
tremble
and
shrink
,
to
think
what
he
has
been
going
through
this
autumn
,
especially
when
I
hear
him
moving
about
late
at
night
,
and
now
and
then
comes
a
heavy
groan
—
whenever
any
especial
care
has
been
on
his
mind
.
'
Ethel
was
in
great
distress
.
'
To
have
grieved
him
again
!
'
said
she
,
'
and
just
as
he
seemed
better
and
brighter
!
Everything
I
do
turns
out
wrong
,
and
always
will
;
I
ca
n't
do
anything
well
by
any
chance
.
'
'
Yes
you
can
,
when
you
mind
what
you
are
about
.
'
'
But
I
never
can
—
I
'm
like
him
,
everyone
says
so
,
and
he
says
the
heedlessness
is
ingrain
,
and
ca
n't
be
got
rid
of
.
'
'
Ethel
,
I
do
n't
really
think
he
could
have
told
you
so
.
'
'
I
'm
sure
he
said
ingrain
.
'
'
Well
,
I
suppose
it
is
part
of
his
nature
,
and
that
you
have
inherited
it
,
but
—
'
Margaret
paused
—
and
Ethel
exclaimed
,
'
He
said
his
was
long-nurtured
;
yes
,
Margaret
,
you
guessed
right
,
and
he
said
he
could
not
change
it
,
and
no
more
can
I
.
'
'
Surely
,
Ethel
,
you
have
not
had
so
many
years
.
You
are
fifteen
instead
of
forty-six
,
and
it
is
more
a
woman
's
work
than
a
man
's
to
be
careful
.
You
need
not
begin
to
despair
.
You
were
growing
much
better
;
Richard
said
so
,
and
so
did
Miss
Winter
.
'
'
What
's
the
use
of
it
,
if
in
one
moment
it
is
as
bad
as
ever
?
And
to-day
,
of
all
days
in
the
year
,
just
when
papa
had
been
so
very
,
very
kind
,
and
given
me
more
than
I
asked
.
'
'
Do
you
know
,
Ethel
,
I
was
thinking
whether
dear
mamma
would
not
say
that
was
the
reason
.
You
were
so
happy
,
that
perhaps
you
were
thrown
off
your
guard
.
'
'
I
should
not
wonder
if
that
was
it
,
'
said
Ethel
,
thoughtfully
.
'
You
know
it
was
a
sort
of
probation
that
Richard
put
me
on
.
I
was
to
learn
to
be
steady
before
he
spoke
to
papa
,
and
now
it
seemed
to
be
all
settled
and
right
,
and
perhaps
I
forgot
I
was
to
be
careful
still
.
'
'
I
think
it
was
something
of
the
kind
.
I
was
a
little
afraid
before
,
and
I
wish
I
had
tried
to
caution
you
,
but
I
did
not
like
to
seem
unkind
.
'
'
I
wish
you
had
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
Dear
little
Aubrey
!
Oh
!
if
papa
had
not
been
there
!
And
I
cannot
think
how
,
as
it
was
,
he
could
contrive
to
put
the
fire
out
,
with
his
one
hand
,
and
not
hurt
himself
.
Margaret
,
it
was
terrible
.
How
could
I
mind
so
little
!
Did
you
see
how
his
frock
was
singed
?
'
'
Yes
,
papa
showed
it
to
me
.
How
can
we
be
thankful
enough
!
One
thing
I
hope
,
that
Aubrey
was
well
frightened
,
poor
little
boy
.
'
'
I
know
!
I
see
now
!
'
cried
Ethel
,
'
he
must
have
wanted
me
to
make
the
fire
blaze
up
,
as
Richard
did
one
evening
when
we
came
in
and
found
it
low
;
I
remember
Aubrey
clapping
his
hands
and
shouting
at
the
flame
;
but
my
head
was
in
that
unhappy
story
,
and
I
never
had
sense
to
put
the
things
together
,
and
reflect
that
he
would
try
to
do
it
himself
.
I
only
wanted
to
get
him
out
of
my
way
,
dear
little
fellow
.
Oh
!
dear
,
how
bad
it
was
of
me
!
All
from
being
uplifted
,
and
my
head
turned
,
as
it
used
to
be
when
we
were
happier
.
Oh
!
I
wish
Mr.
Wilmot
was
not
coming
!
'
Ethel
sat
for
a
long
time
with
her
head
hidden
in
Margaret
's
pillow
,
and
her
hand
clasped
by
her
good
elder
sister
.
At
last
she
looked
up
and
said
,
'
O
Margaret
,
I
am
so
unhappy
.
I
see
the
whole
meaning
of
it
now
.
Do
you
not
?
When
papa
gave
his
consent
at
last
,
I
was
pleased
and
set
up
,
and
proud
of
my
plans
.
I
never
recollected
what
a
silly
,
foolish
girl
I
am
,
and
how
unfit
.
—
I
thought
Mr.
Wilmot
would
think
great
things
of
it
—
it
was
all
wrong
and
self-satisfied
.
I
never
prayed
at
all
that
it
might
turn
out
well
,
and
so
now
it
wo
n't
.
'
'
Dearest
Ethel
,
I
do
n't
see
that
.
Perhaps
it
will
do
all
the
better
for
your
being
humbled
about
it
now
.
If
you
were
wild
and
high
flying
,
it
would
never
go
right
.
'
'
It
's
hope
is
in
Richard
,
'
said
Ethel
.
'
So
it
is
,
'
said
Margaret
.
'
I
wish
Mr.
Wilmot
was
not
coming
to-night
,
'
said
Ethel
again
.
'
It
would
serve
me
right
,
if
papa
were
to
say
nothing
about
it
.
'
Ethel
lingered
with
her
sister
till
Harry
and
Mary
came
up
with
Margaret
's
tea
,
and
summoned
her
,
and
she
crept
down
stairs
,
and
entered
the
room
so
quietly
,
that
she
was
hardly
perceived
behind
her
boisterous
brother
.
She
knew
her
eyes
were
in
no
presentable
state
,
and
cast
them
down
,
and
shrank
back
as
Mr.
Wilmot
shook
her
hand
and
greeted
her
kindly
.
Mr.
Wilmot
had
been
wont
to
come
to
tea
,
whenever
he
had
anything
to
say
to
Dr.
or
Mrs.
May
,
which
was
about
once
in
ten
or
twelve
days
.
He
was
Mary
's
godfather
,
and
their
most
intimate
friend
in
the
town
,
and
he
had
often
been
with
them
,
both
as
friend
and
Clergyman
,
through
their
trouble
—
no
later
than
Christmas-Day
,
he
had
come
to
bring
the
feast
of
that
day
to
Margaret
in
her
sick
room
.
Indeed
,
it
had
been
chiefly
for
the
sake
of
the
Mays
that
he
had
resolved
to
spend
the
holidays
at
Stoneborogh
,
taking
the
care
of
Abbotstoke
,
while
his
brother
,
the
Vicar
,
went
to
visit
their
father
.
This
was
,
however
,
the
first
time
he
had
come
in
his
old
familiar
way
to
spend
an
evening
,
and
there
was
something
in
the
resumption
of
former
habits
that
painfully
marked
the
change
.
Ethel
,
on
coming
in
,
found
Flora
making
tea
,
her
father
leaning
back
in
his
great
chair
in
silence
,
Richard
diligently
cutting
bread
,
and
Blanche
sitting
on
Mr.
Wilmot
's
knee
,
chattering
fast
and
confidentially
.
Flora
made
Harry
dispense
the
cups
,
and
called
everyone
to
their
places
;
Ethel
timidly
glanced
at
her
father
's
face
,
as
he
rose
and
came
into
the
light
.
She
thought
the
lines
and
hollows
were
more
marked
than
ever
,
and
that
he
looked
fatigued
and
mournful
,
and
she
felt
cut
to
the
heart
;
but
he
began
to
exert
