As I watched him lift his mild, sheep-like face, and go out, I pitied him――almost enough to have promised to do what he wanted, which would have been idiotic. “If he’d had any sense,” I told myself, “he’d have clapped Aunt Margaret into a ‘home’ or an asylum, or whatever it is, long ago. But he’s too soft-hearted to do anything but make himself miserable.” During the morning little Alice came in several times to see me. The doctor also called and examined my head, into which he had put a couple of stitches last night. It was only a scalp wound, he said, and thought I might go back to Newcastle that afternoon if I felt up to it. At dinner-time George appeared, looking very sheepish, and shuffling his feet. “How are you?” he asked. “Ma says you’re goin’ home this afternoon, so I thought I’d drop in an’ say good-bye. I’m sorry about this. It’s my fault, an’ it’s rotten for your exam. I only read one letter. I went to ma’s work-basket for the scissors, an’ I saw it there lying open, an’ I read it without thinking. That’s the God’s truth, whether you believe it or not, an’ there was nothin’ in it you need mind.” “Oh, it’s all right,” I answered. “All the same it’s damned putrid luck about the exam.” “It can’t be helped. Besides, I’m going to have a shot at it.” “Well, I’ll have to cut on. So long, Peter.” He grinned as he held out a big hand, which, like his face, was covered with freckles. CHAPTER XXXIX My examination was at three, and at two o’clock I got up. If I hadn’t done so well on the other papers, probably I should have let it go, but it seemed, in the circumstances, a pity to spoil my results if I could possibly avoid it. Yet when I lifted my head from the pillow it throbbed so violently that I thought I should have to lie down again. I steadied myself, holding on to the bed-post, but presently I was able to finish dressing and go downstairs. Miss Izzy was in the shop, alone, and she gazed at me with keen curiosity. I smiled, though I was really feeling fairly bad. “Are you better?” Miss Izzy asked, for some reason speaking in a kind of hoarse whisper. “I’ve a beastly headache, that’s all.” “Not much wonder. _She_ did it, didn’t she?” Miss Izzy was all eyes and secrecy. I nodded. “She’s getting worse,” Miss Izzy announced in an awed tone. “She’s really not in her right senses. I don’t know what she’ll be doing next. You’re going to-day, aren’t you?” “Yes――after the exam. I wish you would ask Alice to pack my things for me; she can do it all right.” “I’ll help her. I’ll tell you this, I’ve been looking out for another job this while back, and I think I’ve got one. That’s between ourselves; but I can’t put up with her any longer. I’ll drop you a postcard; give me your address.” I scribbled it on a bit of paper she handed me. Miss Izzy glanced at it and stuffed it in her pocket. “Right oh! Here’s somebody coming in; they never give you a minute’s peace―――― Are you away?”