He yawned and got up, but Grif put out his hand and still held him. “Don’t go for a minute. I don’t understand what you mean. You’re quite wrong. I like Mr. Bradley very much. He has always been very decent to me, and you mustn’t say anything to him, or do anything. Of course I know you’re making it up, but――――” He relaxed his hold and his hand dropped back on the bed. His face was very white, and Palmer, gazing down at him, saw a sweat break out on his forehead. “What’s the matter?” he asked, beginning to be frightened. Grif made an effort. “I don’t feel very well, Palmer.... In the morning――if you would tell――if you would send――――” But the sentence was never finished, for Grif had fainted. CHAPTER XVI GRIF RECEIVES A VISITOR ‘This hour is mine―― Though thou his guardian spirit be.’ ――_Coleridge._ Next morning Grif declared himself better, but Aunt Caroline drew her own conclusions from the fact that he showed no great eagerness to get up. She had sent Edward for Doctor O’Neill, who had not yet arrived. Like an old-time king Grif received an audience at his bedside――an audience composed not only of his brothers and sisters, but which at one time or another included grandpapa and Miss Johnson, Bridget and Hannah. When the others were going he made a sign to Jim to remain behind. “You’re only missing Sunday,” Jim consoled him, “and it’s never much good anyway. What d’you want?” “I want you to take a note to Mr. Bradley, but you mustn’t let Palmer or anybody else see you giving it to him. You’ll have to invent an excuse for staying behind after church. Then, when the coast is clear, you can either go up to the choir and give it to him there, or if you would rather you can wait near the door and catch him as he is coming out. But it must be done secretly, and you mustn’t breathe a word about it to anybody.” “That’ll be all right,” said Jim. “D’you want an answer?” “No. As soon as he has the note you can come away. Get me a piece of paper and a pencil, and something to write on.” These materials were supplied, and while Grif wrote his letter Jim laid plans for its safe delivery. Morning church, he felt, even with Drumsticks preaching, was not going to be so dull as usual. * * * * * Thus it came about that at four o’clock Aunt Caroline was surprised to learn that a gentleman had called to see Master Grif, and she was still more surprised when she discovered the gentleman to be Mr. Bradley, for the organist, as far as she could recollect, had only been in their house once before. Mr. Bradley was shown upstairs, and Aunt Caroline, closing the book she was reading aloud, left them alone together.