"Colin is to be congratulated. He has found some one to fight his battles," Mr. Dugdale lowered his book, and scanned Phyllys with quizzical eyes. She stood her ground. "I mean it. I would rather be a genius than anything. Much rather than just be rich and strong." "Not that Colin falls short in the length of his walks," murmured Mr. Dugdale. "It's rather in the extent of his mental exertions." "That was what I meant—that he cannot use his powers," put in Kathleen. "He has always been hampered by ill-health, since he was sixteen." "Not before?" asked Phyllys. "No. He was delicate-looking, but wiry, and up to anything. Giles was the more robust, but Colin could outdo even Giles in endurance." "Giles was not the more robust in their infancy," declared Mr. Dugdale. "He was when I first knew them, father. But Colin had such spirit. He never flagged, and nothing ailed him till that unhappy accident." "What was the accident?" asked Phyllys. "No one has told me." "Your grandmother must know. You will hear no mention of it at Castle Hill. Mrs. Keith dislikes the subject; and neither Giles nor Colin allude to what happened. They were so devoted to poor little Elsye." A word from Phyllys made her add—"Did you not know Elsye Wallace was killed then?" "No. Please tell me about it." "She and the boys were always together. It was pretty to see them—she like a little queen, and they her devoted knights. A lovely child, full of fun, yet with that pathetic look in her eyes which you see on the memorial window. Quite unnatural, for there never was a happier being." "But what was the accident?" "They were at the seaside. Elsye had been poorly, and Mrs. Keith took her away for change, with the boys. Rather unusual, for she never liked Dr. Wallace, and I do not think she cared for Elsye. Still, it came about somehow—perhaps brought on by Giles. He was masterful even at sixteen, as you may imagine." Phyllys assented. "And he worshipped Elsye. It was adoration. Colin was fond of her, but not in the same vehement style. One day they were on the cliff, and I suppose were playing too near the edge. Nobody ever seemed to know how it happened, but Elsye and Colin fell over. There was a rough shingle beach below, with rock-boulders lying about. Elsye, I believe, slipped, and dragged Colin with her—and Giles was too late to save them. Elsye was undermost, and she never regained consciousness. Colin's head struck on a rock, and he was stunned; but at the time they did not think him so badly hurt. Everybody's attention was taken up with Elsye. She breathed for an hour or two, but died before her father could arrive." "How dreadful for them!"