'No, sir, I know; but I swear to you I'll fetch you if you're wanted
here. But do you go to Howroyd's at once,' said the man so earnestly that
George hesitated no longer. Touching his hat as he passed them, he walked
rapidly to his uncle's, where he found all in confusion.

The first person he saw was Sarah. 'What is the matter with father?' he
asked.

'I don't know,' said Sarah.

'Don't know! Where is he?' asked George.

'In the sitting-room; that's why I couldn't get at the telephone. They
disconnected it to stop the noise. The doctors are with him,' replied
Sarah, who looked white and shaken.

'How did it happen? Did he get burnt? Is there no one to tell me
anything?' asked George in despair.

'I don't know. He was brought on a stretcher, and Uncle Howroyd came with
him, and he and mother have gone into that room. I don't know any more
than you; but, oh, I am glad you've come!' cried Sarah, bursting into
tears.

'Come and sit down,' said George, putting his arm round his sister's
shoulder. 'Some one will come out in a minute, I hope.'

It was William Howroyd who came. 'You here, my lad! That's right. You'll
have to take the head of affairs now,' he said kindly but sadly.

'Is my father--dead?' asked George, with pale lips.

'No, no, not dead; but it's a stroke, and he won't be fit for business
for some time. If I can help you I will; but it's a bad business, a very
bad business. Well, my home is yours, as you know, and you must all stay
here for the present. As for the future, why, you can stay here then if
you will. It's not a mansion, but there's room enough for us all.'

CHAPTER XXVI.

TRUE YORKSHIRE GRIT.

'Can I see my father, sir?' said George.

'Yes, of course, my lad. Go in. He won't know you, but you may go in,'
said his uncle.

Mrs Clay sat watching beside her husband, who lay on his improvised couch
in the sitting-room, and she looked up dully when her son came in.
'They've killed 'im this time, George,' she said.

'I hope not, mother. He'll pull through this,' replied her son.

But his mother shook her head. ''E'll never get over bein' bested by the
men. 'E's always been so masterful all 'is life, an' they've mastered 'im
at last,' she declared.

'I don't know so much about that. Father said I was to stop at home and
help him, and I mean to do it, and see if things can't be straightened
out again,' said George, with youthful confidence.

Mrs Clay looked at her son proudly.