Reuben had heard her voice often, but he had never heard it like that--nor any one else. What had passed through it, clearing it so? it was like the chiming of silver bells. He came at her word, bag in hand; and--with the freedom a mutual sorrow gives,--held out his other hand to her. Then ran quick and softly down the stairs. "Hollo, sir!" said the doctor, as Reuben passed the open doorway. "A word with you." Reuben paused, then came back a step. "So you are Mr. Linden's friend, are you?" said the doctor in a careless manner. "Did you want anything of me, sir?" Reuben said. "Why yes--I commonly want an answer to a question." "I don't just know what you mean by a friend, Dr. Harrison," said Reuben respectfully. "I might answer wrong." "So rather than do that--You like to be on the safe side. Suppose you ask Mr. Linden to teach you definitions, among other things? And look here--keep him quiet and don't let anybody talk him out of his sleep to night. That's all." And the doctor followed Reuben immediately. With a feeling of satisfaction certainly, Mrs. Derrick at last locked and bolted the front door, shutting out the driving mist and all that might hide within it; and then went to look after the only treasure the house contained. She wasn't far to seek, for as the locking and bolting sounded through the house, Faith came down and went with her mother into the sitting-room. "Have you had nothing to eat yet, mother!" she exclaimed as her eye fell on the orderly tea-tray. "No child--nor sha'n't want it, till I see you have something." Faith smiled a little, came and put her arms round her and kissed her; and then set about the whole work of getting tea over again. It was with a very pale face yet; only the silver ring of her voice told the change of the mental atmosphere. Her mother looked at her--but was perhaps afraid to ask any questions to disturb the quiet. "Reuben's a good boy!" she said, feeling that remark to be perfectly safe. "I'm glad he's there," Faith answered gravely. "I heard all Dr. Harrison said, mother." "Yes child," said her mother--as if she knew that before,--"I thought you'd see Reuben too." "Reuben said the same, mother. And Mr. Linden himself sent word there was no cause to be anxious." Faith did not say he had written that word to her. Perhaps her own consciousness might have made her shy of the subject--or perhaps what she judged to be people's false reports had left a sore spot in her heart and she was afraid of touching _that_. But she did not speak of the little note which had come to her. She was preparing her mother's tea with all speed, while Mrs. Derrick on her part peeped into the sugar-bowl to see if it wanted filling, and began to cut the bread.