'If Jessie tells you the reason of her going away----' 'Which she's sure to do. Oh, I shall know all about it.' 'And if the knowledge does not come to me in any other way, will you tell me?' 'Upon my word! Me tell a secret? Not for all the world, master Chris.' 'But if it's not a secret?' 'Then of course you'll hear it.' We spoke in an undertone, so as not to disturb my mother, who lay unconscious of what was going on around her. But here you are stopping up,' continued Josey fretfully, when every minute's rest is precious to you and all of us. I have only told you one of my reasons why you _must_ be fresh in the morning--and mind you sleep, master Chris, when you get to bed. I'll tell you another. There'll be the shop to look after.' 'That's uncle Bryan's business,' I replied, flushing with anger. The mere mention of his name aroused all my bitterness against him. 'If mother could be moved from this house to-morrow with safety, I'd take her out of his sight without a moment's delay.' 'You'll not see your uncle Bryan again in a hurry,' said Josey. 'You mark my words--he's gone for good.' I did not stop to discuss the point, but went to the bedside and kissed my mother. As I leant over her, I could scarcely hear her breathing, and but for a light convulsive sob which rose to her throat every now and then, and which she seemed to make an effort to check, it would have been difficult to detect any sign of life in her. The doctor's words dwelt in my mind as I gazed at her beloved face, and for the first time in my life I appreciated at their proper worth the sacrifices which this dearest of women had made for one so unworthy as I. I knelt at her bedside, and prayed that her life might be spared to me--prayed with humble heart--and my tears flowed freely. Josey was outside on the landing. 'Good-night, my dear,' she said; 'give me a kiss.' Mine were not the only tears on my face as I walked downstairs. CHAPTER XL. WHAT THE NEIGHBOURS SAID. Josey West's prediction proved to be right. When I rose the next morning uncle Bryan had not returned. Josey, looking as fresh as though she had had a good night's rest, told me that there had been no change in my mother's condition--that only a few words had passed her lips, and that those words were about me.