are you saying? Have you finished your story?"

"Why, no, uncle, not nearly. Are you tired? Nurse said I must not tire
you too much."

Sir Edward laughed, but it was not a happy laugh.

"Oh, finish your story by all means, little woman," he said, and Milly
continued:--

"We all cheered up when Mrs. Maxwell asked me if I'd like to stay to
dinner. I asked if it was the feast, and she laughed and said, 'Yes.'
She had a roast leg of pork in the oven, with some stuffing and apple
sauce, and, uncle, it was lovely! Maxwell came in just in time, and he
looked so happy, and then we all sat down to dinner, but I asked Maxwell
to say first before we began: '_Let us eat, and be merry, for this my
son was dead, and is alive again, he was lost, and is found_.' He folded
his hands and said it like grace, and Mrs. Maxwell said 'Amen' when he
had finished, and wiped her eyes with her apron. I told them we must all
be very merry, but Tommy wasn't, I'm afraid. He kept looking first at
Mrs. Maxwell and then all round the kitchen, and then at Maxwell, and
then he sighed very big sighs. He said he couldn't believe he was at
home, but he told me, when I asked him quietly afterwards, that he was
really very happy, he only sighed and looked sad because he thought how
foolish he had been to stay away so long. I was very sorry for one thing
about him, uncle. He wasn't in his best clothes. They were all too small
for him, and the slippers wouldn't fit him, but Maxwell says he will buy
him some new ones to-morrow. And Tommy told me he wouldn't wear a ring
if he had one. He asked me why he should, so I told him about the
prodigal son in the Bible--he seemed to like hearing about it, and he
said he thought he was very like him. And then I asked about the music
and dancing. I wanted to have that, but we couldn't manage it. Mrs.
Maxwell said we had music in our hearts; how can we have that, uncle? I
didn't hear any in mine, for I kept silent and listened for it."

"I expect she meant you were so happy that you did not want any music to
make you happier."

"I was very happy. Oh, Uncle Edward, why won't all the prodigal sons go
home? I can't think why they like staying away. It is so lovely to think
of Tommy now! And every one would be just as happy, wouldn't they?"

"I don't think all young men have such fond parents as your friend
Tommy has," said Sir Edward gravely.

"Haven't they? Well, God's prodigal sons couldn't have a nicer father. I
lie