Neither alternative was very cheering.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

FAMILY CONFIDENCE.

"When do you leave us, Philip?" inquired Mrs Rowland, putting her arm
within her brother's, and marching him up the gravel-walk.

"Do you wish me to go?" replied he, laughing. "Is this what you were so
anxious to say?"

"Why, we understood, six weeks since, that you meant to leave Deerbrook
in a fortnight: that is all."

"So I did: but my mother is kind enough to be pleased that I am staying
longer; and since I am equally pleased myself, it is all very well. I
rather think, too, that the children consider Uncle Philip a good boy,
who deserves a holiday."

"My mother! Oh, she always supposes everything right that you do; and
that is the reason why Mr Rowland and I--"

"The reason why Rowland and I agree so well," interrupted the brother.
"Yes, that is one reason, among many. Rowland's wish is to see the old
lady happy; and she is naturally happiest when she has both her children
with her; and for every merry hour of hers, your good husband looks the
more kindly upon me."

"Of course; all that is a matter of course; though you are not aware,
perhaps, of the fatigue it is to my mother to have any one with her too
long a time. She will not tell _you_; but you have no idea how low she
is for some time after you go away, if you have stayed more than a few
days, from exhaustion--from pure exhaustion. Ah! you do not perceive
it, because the excitement keeps her up while you are here; and she
naturally makes an effort, you know. But if you were to see her as we
do after you are gone;--you cannot think how it sets the Greys talking
about her low spirits."

"Poor soul! I wish I could be always with her. I will try whether I
cannot; for some time to come, at least. But, sister, how does it
happen that neither you nor Rowland ever told me this before?"

"Oh, we would not distress you unnecessarily. We knew it was an
unavoidable evil. You cannot always be here, and you must--"

"Yes, I must sometimes come: that is an unavoidable evil; and always
will be, sister, while I have a good old mother living here."

"My dear Philip, how you do misunderstand one! I never heard anything
so odd."

"Why odd? Have you not been giving me to understand, all this time,
that you do not wish to have me here,--that you want me to go away? If
not this, I do not know what you have been talking about."

"What an idea! My only brother! What