I had not been out of the room five minutes before Tom came to seek me, looking quite hoity-toity, as if he thought himself aboard ship again, with sailors. "Now then, Polly," he said, "I'm not going to have any more nonsense about this. The boy is too weak to be worried. I am going to fetch Emily." "Since when," I asked, "has it been your habit to call her Emily?" He stared, and looked confused. "I suppose," he said, "I've caught it from Harry." "Talking with him so much about her, when it was so necessary to keep him calm? And to that nurse woman, behind my back--as if the private concerns of our family were any concern of servants! Tom, I didn't think _you_ would ever be disloyal to me." "I don't think I ever have been, Polly. What's more, I don't think you would ever imagine such a thing in cool blood. Come, you are not going to spoil this happy day for us all, are you? The boy has been given back to us by a miracle----" That was enough. I flung myself into his arms. "Forgive me! Forgive me!" I cried. "I know it is wicked of me. But you don't _know_ how I feel it, Tom!" "Yes, I do, pet; I know exactly." "No one but a mother _can_ know. I used to be everything to him once, and now he is only glad to get well because of her!" "Well, it's natural. We----" "No, we didn't. We had no mothers. But never mind--I won't be selfish. I will go and fetch her at once." "Would you rather I went?" "_Certainly_ not! Do you suppose I want them to go on thinking that you are their only friend, and I their implacable enemy? _I_ want to make him happy as much as ever you can do." "That's right, old girl. If you're going to do a kind thing, do it the kindest way you know. They'll be just fit to worship you, both of 'em." I did not ask to be worshipped, but I did want my boy to love his mother a little. I ran to him, brushing the nurse aside. "Dearest," I whispered, "I am going to bring Emily. She shall sit with you as long and as often as you like. She shall be your wife, if you want her. I will make a daughter of her--for your sake." I took the kiss I had so richly earned, and hurried to the schoolroom. There sat Miss Blount, still faded and tearful, but beaming with the joy that filled the house, like the sun through rain. She and Lily had been crying and rejoicing together, congratulating one another. I waved the child aside, and, taking her governess by the hand, with a "Come, dear," which I could see explained everything in a moment, led her into Harry's room. After all, she was a lady, and a B.A. He might have done worse. But when I saw the look he turned to her when she ran like a deer to his arms--poor sticks of arms!--and how he held her, and crooned over her--oh, it was like a dagger in my breast! Tom took me away, and tried to comfort me. He reminded me that we did the same ourselves when we were young, and that we still had each other. "You've still got me, Polly. _I_ sha'n't desert you."