"Wrong, my dear? No, indeed not. It is to please our dear boy--and you shall keep them even if he does get well. But I fear--I fear-- Oh, my dear, he is the sweetest lad that ever drew breath! Never an angry word from his lips, never, never--and I have spoken cross to him often and often. He never answered me, never once. And now I am punished for it, now I am punished for it!" It was painful to witness her anguish. "You must not, you should not speak in that way, Mrs. Meadows," said Timothy, to whom came at this juncture an impressiveness of manner which spoke well for a true manliness of spirit in the future when he should have arrived at manhood's estate; "if Teddy knew it he would be very grieved--it would hurt him badly. You have nothing to vex yourself about, I know, who never had a mother to love"--and here Timothy's voice shook. He was aware of the strange mystery attached to his being thrust, a stranger, upon the care of strangers, and at this solemn time it forced itself upon him with a new significance. "Oh, my dear," said Mrs. Meadows, "I am sorry for you." "I know," continued Timothy, "from Teddy's own dear lips how good and loving you have been to him--" "Has he told you so--has my dear boy told you so?" "Over and over again; and he has said that he could never repay you and his father for your goodness to him." "That came out of his own kind heart, always thinking of others, never of himself." "It is true, Mrs. Meadows. He said once to me, 'I wish you had a home like mine, and a mother and father like mine.'" "The dear lad--the dear, dear lad! It makes it all the harder to lose him, all the harder." "It is hard--but let us go in now. He will be restless." "Yes, yes, let us go in. You are a good lad, Timothy, and we shall always be glad to see you here. Remember that, my dear." "I will, Mrs. Meadows, and thank you." The mother wiped the tears from her eyes, but as fast as she wiped them away they flowed afresh. The moment he entered the room Timothy saw the change that had come over Teddy. But Teddy could still speak in a faint, weak voice, and his eyes brightened as they rested on Timothy. "How nice you look!" he murmured. "Do they fit you?" Timothy nodded. "Bend down, Timothy. That's right." He kissed Timothy. "If you get along, as you're sure to do, you must pay me for them." "How can I do that, Teddy dear?" asked Timothy, in wonder. "By helping some poor boy, and trying to get him out of his trouble." "As you have got me out of mine. I promise, Teddy, faithfully." "I think," said Teddy, suddenly raising himself up in bed, and speaking in a thin, clear voice, "that everything is very beautiful. Good-night. I am very happy. God bless you, Tim!" "God bless you, Teddy!" "Mother, father, put your arms round me."