ss you very
much; but I must think of your good first. There don't seem to be any
nice schools near here, nor do I know of anyone who would come and
teach you for an hour or two. And I can't afford to live on here. I
must go to London, I think, and set to work at something. I heard
to-day from an old friend of mine who wants me to join another
exploring party. Perhaps I may do this. In any case I fear our little
home will be broken up.'

Bobby looked up into his father's face with a quivering under lip.

'Are you going to send me back to grandmother? I've had such a tiny,
weeny time with you. I reely don't think I'll live away from you,
father, again. I couldn't expeck and expeck every day for you to come
back to me, and then have you never come. And I'll promise true and
faithful to be good if you'll take me with you.'

'And I promised mother faithful I'd have a comf'able home for you
always, dad. She told me I was to. I don't think she'd like it at all
if we was sent away from you.'

Mr. Allonby looked at the eager children's faces thoughtfully.

'I shouldn't be going abroad till the spring. If I could find someone
to teach you we might be together for the winter. But I can't stay
here. I must be nearer town. We never meant to stay here after the
autumn. We came down because of my health. I am well now. Perhaps I
can get some cheap lodgings just out of town, where Margot would look
after you. We will see.'

'That will be very nice,' said True, darning away with increased speed
and importance. 'I'm growing awfully fast, dad, and I'll be able to
look after the lodgings for you.'

'And you won't never send me back to grandmother's?' said Bobby
anxiously.

No, indeed, I won't. I heard to-day, by-the-bye, that your grandmother
was very ill.'

Bobby did not speak for a minute. Then he said slowly:

'I wonder if she'd like to see me afore she dies.'

'Oh, we won't think she is as bad as that,' said his father cheerfully.

He went up to London the next day, and stayed away three whole days.
True and Bobby felt very forlorn. They quarrelled a good deal, and
Margot at last lost patience with them.

'Ain't you ashamed of yourselves? And the grass not green yet on your
mother's grave. What must she think if she's allowed to get a glimpse
of you?'

'It's all Bobby; he's so mastering,' said True; 'and I'm the oldest;
and he ought to do what I tell him.'

'And you angerise me,' said Bobb