"Oh, as for that, all places are alike to me now. But, Reuben, I want you to promise me that if you come across my lad in town, as maybe you will, you will speak kindly to him, and tell him that his mother is here, waiting for him and longing for him to come. Send him home to me if you can, Reuben Roy." "Ay, that I will," said Reuben; and having given this promise, he took his leave of her. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XI. A CHANGE FOR KATE. REUBEN ROY went back to his work in Birmingham looking "like himself," as his mother fondly said. With fresh hopes and a renewed determination to acquit himself well, he presented himself the next morning at the works. The hearty greeting and warm congratulations he received from old Samuel were but a sample of what awaited him from most of the "hands." Those who had looked coldly and even scornfully on him in the time of his trouble were now anxious to atone for their mistake. Reuben was touched by the kind words which reached him from all sides, and the universal pleasure which his return with restored character seemed to give. But his satisfaction was still greater when Mr. Akenside told him that he was not to return to his former work, but was in future to fill a post at the works which involved considerable responsibility. "It has never before been given to one so young as yourself," the master said. "But I know that I can trust 'you,' Reuben Roy." It was too late when he left the works that evening to go to the hospital. But the next day being Saturday, Reuben availed himself of his leisure in the afternoon to visit Kate Barnaby. He was very anxious to see her, for his mother had entrusted him with a message for the poor girl, which he believed would give her pleasure. He found that Kate had made great advances during his absence. She had left her bed, and was sitting in a pleasant room adjoining the ward with some other convalescents, to whom she was chatting with somewhat of her old brightness. But the change of position and dress only made more apparent the traces of suffering. Kate looked weak and worn. The scars on her neck showed plainly, and her head seemed slightly drawn on one side by them. But she told Reuben with a wistful look that she was now almost well, and was to leave the hospital early in the following week. "Have you thought where you will go?" he asked. She shook her head. "To the old place, I suppose. P'raps you'd be so kind, Reuben, as to speak to the foreman about my coming back to the works." "You'll not be fit for work yet, Kate." "I 'must' be fit soon," she said impatiently; "though, thanks to Mr. Akenside, I need not trouble about it at once." "How would you like to go and stay with my mother at Ashworth, Kate?" "Oh, Reuben," she said, drawing a deep breath, "how I would like it! I haven't seen the country for ever so long. And I've never spent more than a day in the country at a time. But what can make you say such a thing?"