“Well, but there is the future to consider,” said Dr. Lighton. “You are very generous and kind, but if this oblivion of the past continues, what of the future?” The Squire waved his hand as if to dismiss the subject. “The future, I find, generally manages to take care of itself. I have no doubt he will eventually remember something by which we can identify him; and if not, why, I must do what I can; I am ready to take my chance.” “You are very good,” said the young doctor. “I had no idea of letting you in for anything so serious.” The Squire would not let him say more. “The house is big enough for us both,” he said, rather curtly, “and that is all that matters. He is welcome to stay till he is claimed.” So Bertie stayed on in the unquestioning confidence of childhood, and at times he would almost forget that all his life had not been spent at the old Manor House. For the most part Bertie was happy enough in the society of little companions not much older than himself; but he had his own troubles to bear, as all of us have, and one of these was of a rather curious nature. The boating excursions to which Phil had so eagerly looked forward became in due course a reality. The fisherman, David’s father, and his two big sons, returned from their long excursion in search of herrings, and they were quite ready to take out parties of pleasure in their large boat, or to let the little one to the boys to row themselves along the coast, provided David were of the party. Bertie had looked forward as impatiently as anybody for the time to come when they could go out sailing or rowing over the sea he loved so well; and yet, when the day came, and he found himself in the boat, gliding over the shining water, he was seized with a horrible and unconquerable sense of terror; his agitation became so great that the boat had to be put back to land, so that he could be put ashore and no determination on his own part, or persuasions or ridicule from others, ever induced him to repeat the experiment. Again and again he made up his mind that it was all nonsense, and that he _would_ conquer himself, and again and again the first sight of the boat would bring back all the nameless horrors which he could neither understand nor drive away. The very thought of trusting himself to those frail timbers was agony to him, and nothing could bring him to the point of entering the boat again. Phil and Queenie laughed at him, and David was quite distressed that he should miss all the pleasant hours the rest spent upon the water; but they were all kind each in a different way, and Bertie was allowed to please himself in peace until the other big brothers came from school, and with them his troubles began.