"The reason why Rowland and I agree so well," interrupted the brother. "Yes, that is one reason, among many. Rowland's wish is to see the old lady happy; and she is naturally happiest when she has both her children with her; and for every merry hour of hers, your good husband looks the more kindly upon me." "Of course; all that is a matter of course; though you are not aware, perhaps, of the fatigue it is to my mother to have any one with her too long a time. She will not tell _you_; but you have no idea how low she is for some time after you go away, if you have stayed more than a few days, from exhaustion--from pure exhaustion. Ah! you do not perceive it, because the excitement keeps her up while you are here; and she naturally makes an effort, you know. But if you were to see her as we do after you are gone;--you cannot think how it sets the Greys talking about her low spirits." "Poor soul! I wish I could be always with her. I will try whether I cannot; for some time to come, at least. But, sister, how does it happen that neither you nor Rowland ever told me this before?" "Oh, we would not distress you unnecessarily. We knew it was an unavoidable evil. You cannot always be here, and you must--" "Yes, I must sometimes come: that is an unavoidable evil; and always will be, sister, while I have a good old mother living here." "My dear Philip, how you do misunderstand one! I never heard anything so odd." "Why odd? Have you not been giving me to understand, all this time, that you do not wish to have me here,--that you want me to go away? If not this, I do not know what you have been talking about." "What an idea! My only brother! What can you be thinking of? Why upon earth should I wish you anywhere else?" "That you may manage my mother and her affairs all your own way, I imagine." Mrs Rowland had nothing to oppose to this plain speech but exclamations. When she had exhausted all she could muster, she avowed that the only consideration which could reconcile her to the sacrifice of her dear brother's society was anxiety for his happiness. "Then, supposing I am happiest here, we are all satisfied." And Uncle Philip would have made a diversion from the path to give George his favourite swing, quite up to the second branch of the great pear-tree. "Pray let George swing himself for once, brother. Hold your tongue, George! You are a very troublesome boy, and your uncle and I are busy. It is about your own affairs, brother, that I want to open my mind to you. As for your always remaining here, as you kindly hinted just now--" "I did not mean to hint," said Philip; "I thought I had spoken quite plainly."