This conversation passed one day that Janet had seemed a little better, but it was not for some time afterwards that she was really quite herself again; even then her weakness was very great. The first time she spoke was a great joy to Aimée, who had begun to fear that her mind was really affected. Aimée had come to the bedside with a cup of soup and a dainty little bit of toast, when something in the wistful gaze she met, made her say with a smile— "It is your soup, my dear. Let me raise you up a little." "You are so kind!" Janet whispered. "Tell me, am I in a hospital? I do not remember coming here." "No, you were so ill. This is your brother's house, and I am his wife, Aimée." "And my husband—is dead," Janet said slowly. "Not he. What made you think that? He will be here in a day or two, and will tell you all about it himself, and why he could not come sooner." Janet took the speaker's hand, and held it with more strength than she looked capable of. "You are sure—you do not say this only to quiet me?" "No, my dear, indeed I would not be so cruel. Your Fred is in good health, and will be here very soon now." Janet closed her eyes and fell asleep; indeed, it seemed to her that she did nothing but sleep until one day she awoke to find Fred sitting beside her, watching for the opening of her eyes. [Illustration] CHAPTER VI. MRS. RAYBURN'S CAP. WE must now return to Kelmersdale. Happily for us, we can do so without being sick like poor Janet! In spite of little Fred's good resolutions, things frequently went wrong between him and Mrs. Rayburn. She was not fond of children. Her one idea about them was that they must be well fed, go to bed early, and never be in the way at any time. Now, Fred was nearly always in the way. The children had no employment and amusement, for they never went out except into the stone court, and though they could play there for a time, when Frank got tired of running (which he did very quickly) Fred positively could not keep out of mischief of a very babyish, innocent kind; but his misdemeanours made Mrs. Rayburn very angry, and once or twice she whipped Frank for being so lazy, sitting half asleep and not seeing after his little brother.