me again, I'll make up for the past by being
the best wife that ever a man had!"

"Nay, my dear, you've got no call to talk like that. I've been a
wretched husband, and a bad father, and it's me as needs to ask
forgiveness. Don't cry, lass, now don't, it hurts me," and Jane
restrained her tears as quickly as possible, and with womanly tact
seated the baby on his knee, and sent the other children to crowd round
him while she made the tea; so that when they took their places at the
table the strangeness of the scene had well-nigh disappeared. The
children partook freely of the good things which Mrs. Martyn's care had
provided; but Richard and Jane found it hard work to touch anything, for
the tide of recollections that swept across them and threatened at times
to destroy their outward composure. After tea Jane anxiously watched her
husband's movements, and in terror saw him rise from his seat.

"You're not going out, Richard?" she pleaded.

"Nay, lass, don't be afraid," he said, kindly, "I'm only going to wash,
and make myself fit for the clean place and the clean wife."

Overjoyed, Jane bustled about, and quickly put the children to bed; and
when Richard entered the kitchen again, she was sitting with needle in
hand and a pile of ragged garments by her side.

"This looks like old times, Jane," he said.

"It's my fault that there's ever been any change, Richard," she
answered, humbly; "but if you'll only help me, we'll have our happy home
back again."

"I don't know what to say, Jane, to always staying at home with you. You
see, there's the club, and I'm almost bound to attend the meetings
sometimes, and they're held in the 'Green Dragon,' and when once a
fellow's there, he can't get away in a hurry."

"Oh, Richard, let the club go. It'll never do you any good, and unless
you break away altogether, it'll be the ruin of you."

Richard looked thoughtful, but said nothing.

Just then there was a knock at the door, and he started up, saying:

"That's some of my mates. I'll send them off to-night, Jane, anyhow."

"Oh, that it may be the kind gentleman who has promised to come!"
thought Jane.

It proved to be Mr. Martyn, and Richard waited with the door in his
hand, in doubt as to the stranger's errand.

"Are you Mr. Watson?" asked the gentleman. It was so long since Richard
had heard himself addressed in such a manner, that at first it did not
strike him that he was the man who bore that name.

"That's me, si