"You don't mean that?" "This is my home again. _They_ were very kind to me at Red-Hill, but it wasn't like home, and it never felt like home to me. After Maurice had left for London this morning, I told them my mind very plainly--it's no good telling that harum-scarum fellow anything--expressed my thanks, my gratitude for all that they had done for me, packed up and came away. I was unsettled, dissatisfied, unhappy, somehow--and here I am." Mr. Gray sank behind the counter again, this time to hide his confusion, which, it was evident, was visibly expressed on his countenance. Sidney back again! Sidney, without preliminary warning, once more entering his home as a friend who expected to be heartily welcomed, and as a partner whom he had no right to ask to go away! Mr. Gray did not see his way very clearly to the end; Sidney's "straightforward" habit of doing things had completely discomfited him for the nonce. He must take his time, and think of this! He re-emerged from his hiding-place, and laid the _débris_ he had collected on the counter. "I was taking stock when you came in, Sidney," he said; "just seeing what each share would be, and so on." "Indeed! what was that for?" "Why, you--you are going back to the bank again as clerk. I believe you promised that," said Mr. Gray. "When my sight will allow me--that will be in a month or two's time--I shall return to the old life, God willing. But what is that to do with taking stock?" "We shall give up this partnership together, of course." "I don't see why," said Sidney; "I shall still want a home after business-hours, and there is no home but this that I shall ever care for. The business has not become so large an undertaking that Mattie and you cannot manage it." "No, it's not that." "And when--when I am married, we can talk about giving it up then, or making it over to you, or anything you like," said Sidney--"and so we'll dismiss the subject." "For the present--we shall have to talk of it again. Mattie and I are tired of it, and have thought of something new, Sidney. But, we'll explain all presently. Mattie, I have no doubt, would rather tell you herself." Sidney looked surprised, even discomfited. He did not comprehend the hint which Mr. Gray had thrown out; he did not entirely see the drift of Mr. Gray's conversation, or understand very clearly what was the difference in his partner's manner, which rendered his return something more than an agreeable surprise. He thought that he had discovered the solution to the mystery, and said,