n work to
do."

"But is there nothing else you would care to hear, uncle?" She had grown
more accustomed to him, and he to her; in spite of herself, she was
anxious to cheer his dull days--to awaken something of human feeling in
the old automaton.

"Nothing! Why should I care for what does not concern me? You only care
for what touches yourself; but because you are young, and your blood
runs quick, many things touch you."

"Did you ever care for anything except--except--" Katherine pulled
herself up. The words "your money" were on her lips.

"I cannot remember, and I do not wish to look back. I suppose, now, you
would like to be driving about in a fine carriage, with a bonnet and
feathers on your head. I suppose you are wishing me dead, and yourself
free to run away from your daily tasks in this quiet house, to listen to
the lying tongue of some soft-spoken scoundrel, as foolish women will;
but the longer I live the better for _you_, till your mother's debt is
paid, or my executors will give her a short shrift and scant time."

"I don't want you to die, Uncle Liddell," said Katherine, with simple
sincerity, "but I wish there was anything I could do to interest you or
amuse you. I am sorry to see you so dull. Why, you are obliged to sleep
all the afternoon!"

"Amuse _me_?" he returned, with infinite scorn. "You need not trouble
yourself. I have thoughts which occupy me of which you have no idea, and
then I pass from thoughts to dreams--grand dreams!"--he paused for a
moment. "Where is that pile of papers that lay on the chair there?" he
resumed, sharply.

"I have taken them away upstairs; when I have collected some more I am
going to sell them. My mother always sells her waste paper--one may as
well have a few pence for them."

"Did you mother say so?" with some animation--then another pause. "Are
you going to see her on Sunday?"

"Not next Sunday," returned Katherine, quite pleased to draw him into
conversation. "You know we must let Mrs. Knapp go out every alternate
Sunday, and you cannot be left alone."

"Why not? Am I an imbecile? Am I dying? I can tell you I have years of
life before me yet."

"I dare say; still, it is my duty to stay here in case you want
anything. But I shall go home on Saturday afternoon instead, if you have
no objection."

"You would not heed my objections if I had any. You are self-willed, you
are resolute. I see things when I care to look. There, I am very tired!
You will find