r letter. No, I didn't know she was right; but I knew we couldn't
do it. I didn't know it for myself, either; I had to be told. When I was
told, I knew it."

"Ah." Lord Evelyn looked at the pale face, that had suddenly taken a look
of age, as of one who looks back into a past bitterness.

"Ah." He looked in silence for a moment, then said, "You've been through
a bad time, Peter."

Peter's face twitched suddenly, and he answered nothing.

"All those months," said Lord Evelyn, and his high, unsteady voice shook
with a curious tremor, "all that summer, you were in hell."

Peter gave no denial.

"I knew it," said Lord Evelyn. "And you never answered the letter I wrote
you."

"No," said Peter slowly. "I answered no letters at all, I think. I
don't remember exactly what I did, through that summer. I suppose I
lived--because here I am. And I suppose I kept Thomas alive--because
he's here too. But for the rest--I don't know. I hated everyone and
everything. I believe Rodney used to come and see me sometimes; but I
didn't care.... Oh, what's the good of talking about it? It's over now."

Lord Evelyn was shading his face with a shaking hand.

"Poor boy," he muttered to himself. "Poor boy. Poor boy."

Peter, recovering his normal self, said, "You've been awfully good to
me, Lord Evelyn. I've behaved very badly to you, I believe. Thanks most
awfully for everything. But don't pity me now, because I've all I want."

"Happy, are you?" Lord Evelyn looked up at him again, searchingly.

"Quite happy." Peter's smile was reassuring.

"The dooce you are!" Lord Evelyn murmured. "Well, I believe you.... Look
here, young Peter, I've a proposal to make. In the first place, is it
over, that silly business of yours and Lucy's? Can you meet without
upsetting each other?"

Peter considered for a moment.

"Yes; I think we can. I suppose I shall always care--I always have--but
now that we've made up our minds that it won't do ... accepted it, you
know.... Oh, yes, I think we could meet, as far as that goes."

Lord Evelyn nodded approval.

"Very good, very good. Now listen to me. You're on the roads, aren't you,
without a penny, you and your boy?"

"Yes. I make a little as I go along, you know. One doesn't need much
here. We're quite comfortable."

"Are you, indeed?... Well now, I see no reason why you shouldn't be more
comfortable still. I want you to come and live with me."

Peter startled, looked up, and coloured. Then he sm