minute, and then putting his hand to his
head, he hastily left the room. It seemed as if he saw his own Alan
again, in all the strength and beauty of his boyhood. Before the lodger
returned to the sitting-room, Alan had been told who he was, and what he
wanted to do; and though he thought for Maurice's sake it was best, the
way in which his arm was twisted round his little brother's neck, told
how sore a trial it would be to part with him. Maurice alone was
unmoved; the thought of the country seemed to have great attractions for
him, and Mr. Smith's stories and general kindness had quite won his
heart. Mr. Smith lifted him on to his knee, but did not speak a word,
for he was looking intently at Alan all the time.

"Do you like being at sea, Alan?" asked Janet.

Alan shook his head, but said quickly, "Janet, it doesn't matter what
one likes; it's what's best;" and a brave courageous smile came upon the
boy's handsome face.

"Isn't he like his father?" whispered Mrs. Shipton to Ellen.

"Yes; he smiles just like him," said Ellen.

"Just like him," said Mr. Smith, in a low, deep voice, that startled
them all. Maurice was frightened, and slipped down off his knee, and
Ellen looked in her mother's face in silent astonishment. "Alan, Alan,
my son!" and the old man rose up and came over to the sailor-boy's side.
Alan stood up, and his grandfather put one hand on his shoulder, passed
his hand over his dark curly hair, and then drawing him closely into his
arms, said, while the tears ran down his cheeks, "Alan, be my son,
instead of him that's gone."

"Who is it, mother?" asked Maurice fearfully.

But Mr. Smith, or, as we may now call him again by his rightful name,
old Farmer Shipton, answered, "I am the grandfather whom you have been
taught to pray for! Ellen, my daughter, my own Alan's wife, forgive me;
I am your father now!"

Then Mrs. Shipton came to him, knelt down beside him, and laying her
hand in his, said, "Alan always said you would come! Father, have you
forgiven him?"

"Ay," said the old man; "may God forgive me as freely. And now, daughter
Ellen, you must never leave me; and your children must be mine, and I
must have you all. Alan will leave the sea and become my eldest son,
and there's room in the old house for you all. Will you come, little
daisy?" and Janet smiled gladly as she answered, "Yes, grandfather."

"God be thanked for all he has taught me in this room," said Farmer
Shipton. "Ellen, my litt