ou been to see mother? I have just been
having a walk before--"

She stopped as if transfixed, for at that moment she caught sight of
Charlie and his mother through the open door.

Poor May flushed to the roots of her hair; then she turned deadly pale,
and would have fallen had not the gallant Captain caught her in his
arms. But by a powerful effort of will she recovered herself in time to
avoid a scene.

"The sight of you reminded me so strongly of our dear Shank!" she
stammered, when Charlie, hastening forward, grasped both her hands and
shook them warmly. "Besides--some of us thought you were dead."

"No wonder you thought of Shank," returned Charlie, "for he and I used
to be so constantly together. But don't be cast down, May. We'll get
Shank out of his troubles yet."

"Yes, and you know he has Ritson with him," said Mrs Brooke; "and he,
although not quite as steady as we could wish, will be sure to care for
such an old friend in his sickness. But you'd better go, Charlie, and
see Mrs Leather. They will be sure to want you and Captain Stride.
May will remain here with me. Sit down beside me, dear, I want to have
a chat with you."

"Perhaps, ma'am, if I make so bold," interposed the Captain, "Mr
Crossley may want to have Miss May also at the council of war."

"Mr Crossley! is _he_ with my mother?" asked the girl eagerly.

"Yes, Miss May, he is."

"Then I _must_ be there. Excuse me, dear Mrs Brooke."

And without more ado May ran out of the house. She was followed soon
after by Charlie and the Captain, and Mrs Brooke was left alone,
expressing her thankfulness and joy of heart in a few silent tears over
her knitting.

There was a wonderful similarity in many respects between Mrs Brooke
and her friend Mrs Leather. They both knitted--continuously and
persistently. This was a convenient if not a powerful bond, for it
enabled them to sit for hours together--busy, yet free to talk. They
were both invalids--a sympathetic bond of considerable strength. They
held the same religious views--an indispensable bond where two people
have to be much together, and are in earnest. They were both poor--a
natural bond which draws people of a certain kind very close together,
physically as well as spiritually--and both, up to this time at least,
had long-absent and semi-lost sons. Even in the matter of daughters
they might be said, in a sense, to be almost equal, for May, loving
each, was a daughter to both.