I felt I could not wait, and I knew
you would not be angry."

"Angry, my darling!" the mother said with a wondering smile, touching
his hair with her weak fingers. "How pretty your hair has grown, Jeff,
and you are so tall and look so well! Your father would be pleased to
see you so big and strong. He will come home soon now. We are not so
poor as we were. His uncle has left us some money, you know; that is
why I was able to come to England."

It flashed across Jeff's mind that Mrs. Colquhoun must have been aware
of his parents' improved circumstances when she invited her sister to
Loch Lossie. He put away the thought from him.

"And your grandmama, tell me all about her, Jeff, and your little
cousins. I have longed to hear from your own lips about everyone."

There was a lovely pink flush on the mother's face now, and her
beautiful eyes were as bright as stars. Mrs. Parsons came forward,
and, looking at her anxiously, said gently:

"Indeed, ma'am, but I think you had better talk no more just now. I
will fetch your beef-tea, and just let the laddie sit quietly beside
you, where you can see him."

Mrs. Scott smiled gently, clasping Jeff's brown fingers more closely.

"He will not leave me, Mrs. Parsons--promise--even if I go to sleep."

And so Jeff sat through the morning hours hardly speaking or stirring.

At about twelve o'clock Captain Clark came to the door and was bidden
to enter. He had come to say that he had made every arrangement to get
Mrs. Scott comfortably conveyed to London, and that Mrs. Parsons must
get her mistress ready early in the afternoon.

"And here is a telegram, Mrs. Scott, just come for you," he said,
holding out the brown envelope. Languid fingers went out to receive
the missive. Was not all her world beside her?

_From Mr. Colquhoun, York Station, to Mrs. Scott, S.S. Jellalabad,
Albert Docks._

"Will be at St. Pancras Hotel this evening. Send reply there. Say
where you are staying. Is Geoffry with you?"

The answer was soon written, and the kind captain took it away to
despatch. Preparations for Mrs. Scott's removal were carried on as
quickly as possible, and Jeff made himself useful by running backwards
and forwards with messages.

In the evening the sick lady and the boy, under Captain Clark's care,
reached the apartments in Brook Street that had been secured for them.
About seven o'clock Uncle Hugh made his appearance. He forbore to
speak one word of an