"I'm prepared to be quite kind and lady-like, and not to storm or scold or say ugly things, and I want you to do just the same. You will, won't you? We'll understand each other. We'll be most careful, truly, not to put her in dear mother's place." My voice trembled. "It's a long time since mother died," said Alex. "But, Alex, you remember her." "No, I don't," said Alex. "Nor do I," I said. "Sometimes I try to. But I have got her miniature; father gave it to me. Wouldn't you like to see it?" "A miniature? That's a picture of her, isn't it? Have you got one?" "Yes." "I knew father had one, but I didn't know he would part with it." "He never would until now." "Once," said Alex, "years ago, he was very ill in bed for a few days, and I went into his room. He was sitting up in bed, and he had a picture in a frame; he was looking at it, and there were tears in his eyes. When he saw me he fired up--you know his hasty sort of way--and stuffed the picture under his pillow. I believe it was mother's picture he was looking at. He must have loved her then." "But he doesn't love her now," I said. "He has given the picture to me because he has put another woman in her place." "Well, most of them do," said Alex. "What do you mean?" "Most men marry again. There are two masters at our school, and they've married again jolly quick--one of them within a year and a half, and the other even in a shorter time. All the fellows were talking about it. It was mighty unfortunate, I can tell you, for we had to subscribe to give them both wedding presents, otherwise we wouldn't have noticed. They were widowers, and they had no right to do it. It was beastly hard on the boys; that's what I think." "What do you mean?" "The wedding presents, I mean." "Oh Alex! that is a very trivial part of the matter." "I expect they'll collect something jolly for father." "Well, we needn't subscribe," I said. "Of course not; that's the best of it." "I hope they won't," I said. "They're certain to. They just worship him in the school. You haven't the least idea how popular he is. They just adore him. He's such a splendid teacher, and so sympathetic over a difficulty. He is a great man, there's no doubt of that." But I was not in a humour to hear his praises. "Let's think of our own dear little mother to-night," I said. "All right, Rachel." "Come up with me to my room and I'll show you her portrait." "All right, old girl." We went up together. I thought if Alex would stand my friend--if he would lean on me as a very superior sort of sister, and allow me to take the place of sister and mother--then I could endure things. Father's new wife might go her own way, and I would go mine. I just wanted Alex at least to understand me. Charley was a good boy, but he was hopeless. Still, I had a vague sort of hope that Alex would keep on my side.