"Poor old mummy!" he ejaculated. And then, turning serious eyes upon my face, "You will never regret it. I can answer for that." "You need not waste breath to tell me what I know better than I know anything," I responded, smiling. "I mean," he said, still seriously, "about _her._" Then I understood why he had said it was worth while to get well. She was of more consequence to him than all his own people put together. "Her?" I queried, smoothing his hair--not letting him guess the pang I felt. "Miss Blount. Father says you have been so good to us--that you have given us leave--that it's all right now. Look here, mother, if you only knew her----" I stopped him, for he was getting agitated. "If your heart is set on it, darling--by and by, I mean, when you are quite well, and have thoroughly considered the matter--don't imagine _I_ shall be the one to disappoint you and make you unhappy. I never have been a cruel mother, have I? And as for knowing Miss Blount, if I don't know her, having her constantly in the house with me, who should? Don't worry yourself about Miss Blounts or anything else till you are stronger, dearest. Put everything out of your head--think of nothing whatever--except getting well. And when you are quite well--then we'll see." "I can't put her out of my head. I want to see her, mother." "So you shall, dear--as soon as you are fit to see people. I will ask the doctor about it." "Juke wouldn't object; he'd be glad. Oh, mother----!" The nurse came up, and said she thought he had talked enough. I thought so too. His thin cheek was flushed, and his lip trembled; he was inclined to excite himself, and had not strength to spare for that just yet. I gave him his nourishment, turned his pillow, and whispered to him that, if he would sleep for a few hours, then he should have his wish. "Honour bright?" he whispered back. "Don't insult me," I retorted. "When did you ever know me to break a promise?" "To-day, mother?" "To-day--if Dr. Juke approves. Of course we must have doctor's express permission." "All right. Give me a squirt of morphia, nurse." "No, Master Harry. No more morphia, my dear--except maybe a time or two at night, when you _can't_ do without it." "I can't do without it now," he said. "I've got to sleep before I can see her, and I can't sleep, of myself, until I do see her." "There," I exclaimed, flinging out a hand. "What did I say? I _knew_ what the effect would be." The woman--who, I found, was actually privy to the whole affair--Tom's doing, no doubt--began to give her opinion, as is the way of those nurses. "If you'll take my advice," said she, "you'll let him see her now, and sleep afterwards. It'll tire him less than fretting for her." "And if you will be so good as to mind your own business," I replied, quietly but firmly, "I shall be infinitely obliged to you."