This was the substance of my mother's story, and I readily supplied what was wanting. My uncle had gone with me to the cottage on Lake Adieno, and Tom Thornton had taken possession of the property. The will had simply been kept out of sight. "Mother, you are safe now," was my oft-repeated remark to her. "I know that I am; and I thank God for giving me such a noble and devoted son," was her reply. We enjoyed every day of the passage in talking over the past and the future. I told her everything I had ever done and said with the utmost minuteness. I described my life at the cottage, my excursions on the lake, all my friends, and related the history of "Breaking Away." In twelve days we reached New York. As soon as we had taken rooms at a hotel, I hastened with my mother to see Kate Loraine. "O, Ernest Thornton! I am so glad to see you!" exclaimed she. "My mother, Kate," I replied proudly. "I am so delighted!" cried Kate, seizing her hand. "Now you must tell me all about it, Ernest Thornton." I told her all about it, and she wondered, ejaculated, and wept. "Mrs. Thornton, your son is the best boy in all the world, and I love him--I love him as though he were my own brother," said she, warmly. "I am very proud of him," replied my mother, as she smiled upon me. "All right," I added, feeling my cheeks glow. "What has happened, Kate, since I went away." "Mr. Windleton has returned, and Uncle Freeman is to be my guardian. He had a very disagreeable meeting with Mrs. Loraine, but she cannot help herself." We spent the evening at the house, and the next day we started for Parkville. How my heart beat when the carriage in which we rode over from Romer passed the cottage of my uncle! We went to the house of Mr. Hale first. "Bob, my dear fellow!" I exclaimed, when he entered the room; and in spite of boyish prejudices against the operation, I could not help hugging him. "My mother, Bob," I added, before he had time to say anything. "I am glad to see you, Ernest--upon my word I am. I am happy to meet you," he added, bowing to my mother. She took his hand, and told him she knew him as her son's best friend. Mr. Hale soon made his appearance, and gave us a hearty welcome. He said some very pleasant things to me, which my modesty will not permit me to repeat, though I have shamed that quality sometimes in this memoir. We talked of business then. I told him I did not wish to injure my uncle, however much he had injured my mother and myself. "Your uncle is evidently under the influence of his son," added Mr. Hale, "and it may be necessary to take some decided steps." "You are a lawyer, sir, and I leave the matter entirely with you; but I hope you will make it as easy as you can for uncle Amos, for I am pretty sure Tom is the author of the mischief."