He found him stretched on his bed, but he rose at once to accompany him--with the more difficulty that he had yielded to his weariness and lain down. They managed however to reach their goal, and the sight of food waking a little hunger, the poor fellow did pretty well for one who looked so ill. As he ate he revived, and by and by began to talk a little: he had never been much of a talker--had never had food enough for talking. “It's very good of you, Richard!” he said. “I suppose you know all about it!” “I don't. What is it? Anything new?” “No, nothing! It's all so miserable!” “It's not all miserable,” answered Richard, “so long as we are brothers!” The tears came in Arthur's eyes. Their mother had repented telling them the truth about Richard, and pretended to have discovered that, while sir Wilton was indeed Richard's father, Mrs. Tuke was after all his mother. “Yes, that is good,” he said, “though it be only in misfortune! But I am a wretched creature, and no good to anybody; you are a strong man, Richard; I shall never be worth calling your brother!” “You can do one great thing for me.” “What is that?” “Live and grow well.” “I wish I could; but that is just what I can't do. I'm on my way home.” “I would gladly go with you!” “Why?” Richard made no answer, and silence followed. Arthur got up. “Ally will be home,” he said, “and thinking me too ill to get along!” “Let's go then!” said Richard. When they entered Everilda street, they saw Alice on the door-step, looking anxiously up and down. The moment she caught sight of them, she ran away along the street. Richard would have followed her, but Arthur held him, and said, “Never mind her to-night, Richard! She don't know that you know. I will tell her; and when you come again, you will find her different. Go now, and come as soon as you can--at least, I mean, as soon as you like.” “I will come to-morrow,” answered Richard. “Do you want me to go now?” “It would be better for Alice. I will go to the end of the street, and she will see me from where she is hiding, and come. She always does.” “Is she in the way of hiding then?” “Yes, when my mother is--” “Well, good-bye!” said Richard. “But where shall I find you to-morrow!” They arranged their meeting, and parted. The next day, they found a better place for their meal. Richard thought it better not to go quite home with Arthur, but, having learned from him where Alice worked, and at what hour she left, went the following night to wait for her not far from the shop. At last she came along, looking very thin and pale, but she shone up when she saw him, and joined him without the least hesitation. “How do you think Arthur is?” he asked. “I've not seen him so well for ever so long,” she answered. “But that is not saying much!” she added with a sigh.