sper did
give it to be understood that he would take it as a compliment if his
nephew would walk across the park and ask after him. He was most
particular as to the mode in which this embassy should be conducted.
Harry was not to be made to think that he was to come rushing into the
house after his old fashion,--"Halloo, uncle, aren't you well? Hope
you'll be better when I come back. Have got to be off by the next
train." Then he used to fly away and not be heard of again for a week.
And yet the message was to be conveyed with an alluring courtesy that
might be attractive, and might indicate that no hostility was intended.
But it was not to be a positive message, but one which would signify
what might possibly take place. If it should happen that Mr. Harry was
walking in this direction, it might also happen that his uncle would be
pleased to see him. There was no better ambassador at hand than Matthew,
and therefore Matthew was commissioned to arrange matters. "If you can
get at Mrs. Weeks, and do it through his mother," suggested Mr. Prosper.
Then Matthew winked and departed on his errand.

In about two hours there was a ring at the back-door, of which Mr.
Prosper knew well the sound. Miss Thoroughbung had not been there very
often, but he had learned to distinguish her ring or her servant's. In
old days, not so very far removed, Harry had never been accustomed to
ring at all. But yet his uncle knew that it was he, and not the doctor,
who might probably come,--or Mr. Soames, of whose coming he lived in
hourly dread. "You can show him up," he said to Matthew, opening the
door with great exertion, and attempting to speak to the servant down
the stairs. Harry, at any rate, was shown up, and in two minutes' time
was standing over his uncle's sick-chair. "I have not been quite well
just lately," he said, in answer to the inquiries made.

"We are very sorry to hear that, sir."

"I suppose you've heard it before."

"We did hear that you were a little out of sorts."

"Out of sorts! I don't know what you call out of sorts. I have not been
out of this room for well-nigh a month. My sister came to see me one
day, and that's the last Christian I've seen."

"My mother would be over daily if she fancied you'd like it."

"She has her own duties, and I don't want to be troublesome."

"The truth is, Uncle Prosper, that we have all felt that we have been in
your black books; and as we have not thought that we deserved it, there