"She must be sent back again, I suppose. She regrets bitterly having come." "Has she any money?" "Oh, yes, but hardly enough to take her home; she relied on living with you and Elizabeth. I shall help her all I can, and perhaps you will also." Big Tombo works hard, and he has a good store of hoardings laid by. He is an intensely generous man, and but for his wife's watchfulness would give away all that he has to others. Eleanor inspires him to make an offer. "I will pay her fare to England," he says. "It will save Elizabeth the pain of coming in contact with her. After all, she is my mother-in-law. It is the least that I can do." "You are most good and kind," replies Eleanor, "and she would be deeply grateful if you came in now and told her this yourself. She feels her daughter's slight acutely." Big Tombo bows assent. [Illustration: Big Tombo bows assent.] The beautiful Mrs. Quinton's word is law. Mrs. Blum trembles with emotion as her eyes fall upon him. She listens to what he says with tears in her eyes and a blessing in her heart. "You are a good son," she says, taking his great brown hands between her withered palms, and pressing them to her lips. "I love you for your care of Elizabeth--for the happy home in which she lives. When she speaks of me harshly tell her to think of me as one dead. We reverence the names of those who are underground, even though we despise them during their lives. I shall never forget what you have done for me." Her voice is choked with emotion. "If--if you don't mind," she falters, "I should like to look once on your child before I go." Tombo bends his head. He has not the heart to refuse her. That afternoon, he sends the boy, without Elizabeth's knowledge, to carry some bananas to Eleanor. "Come in, my dear," she says kindly, as the little boy presents the fruit. "There is a lady who wishes to see you." She takes his small hand and leads him into the room. Mrs. Blum rushes forward with a cry, and flinging her arms round the child's neck, kisses him again and again. Then perching him on her knee, she looks at him intently, murmuring: "Beth's boy! Beth's son!" "You are the lady who got scolded," says Tombo gravely. "Why was my mother so angry with you?" "It is not polite to ask questions," puts in Eleanor hastily. "But she ought not to be cross," continues Tombo, "because you must be good, you're white, like Mrs. Quinton, and mother never rows her. Who are you?" placing his tiny fingers against her cheek, and stroking it gently. "I am your granny, dear, and you will never see me again. But you must think of me sometimes, and remember that I loved you." She strains him to her heart passionately. "You're crying!" says Tombo. "That's naughty. Oh! don't cry," shaking her in a sudden frenzy of fear. "Granny, Granny!" Children always dread to see their elders give way to any emotion, and the little fellow's terror brings back Mrs. Blum's composure.