ly expostulated Jake,
almost blubbering at the accusation of his possibly wanting to do me
harm, "I'se only glad to hear him 'peak again, dat all;" and he went out
of the room quite crest-fallen.

"Oh, doctor!" I cried, but then, all at once, a sort of sick sensation
came over me. Dad and Doctor Martin seemed to be waltzing round me,
with the furniture and everything else following suit, and I fainted
away again, I fancy; although I could hear their whispering voices, as
of people who were far away in the distance. Then, there was a blank.

When I next opened my eyes, strange to say, I was in my own little bed
at home, with my mother sitting by my side.

I felt very weak, and one of my arms was tied up in bandages, while my
other limbs didn't seem to belong to me; but, at first, I had no
recollection of what had happened.

I could not imagine what was the reason for my being laid up like that;
and, seeing my mother there, I fancied for the moment that I had
overslept myself, as was frequently the case, and that she had come to
call me for breakfast.

"Why, mother," I said, "I'm sorry I'm so late."

"You've been ill, Tom," she replied soothingly, without referring to my
laziness as I expected; "I'm glad, though, you're recovering at last."

"Hi!" I exclaimed, much astonished.

"Yes, my dear, very ill," she repeated.

"Dear me! and for how long?" I asked, in wonder still.

"Well, it is more than three weeks since you were brought here, dear;
but take this now, Tom," she added, before telling me anything further,
putting her arm round me and lifting me up in a sitting position, so as
to be better able to swallow something in a wine-glass which she held to
my lips.

"Medicine, eh?" I said, making a wry face.

"Yes, dear, but it doesn't taste badly," she whispered coaxingly.
"Besides, Tom, if you won't take it the doctor says you are not to be
allowed to speak, and of course I shall not be able to answer your
questions."

This settled the point; so I at once tossed off the draught she handed
me, which, although slightly bitter, was not nearly as nasty as I
thought it would have been, having a wholesome horror of doctor's
mixtures. The draught, at all events, put fresh vigour into me. It
certainly gave me strength to speak again as soon as I had gulped it
down, for I was fidgeting to know what had occurred.

"Now, mother," I said, "tell me all about it. I can't be quiet till you
do. Have I had the