her, and she went on--"Judy, you are a fool. David might change
his opinions, surely, without being a poke. My son, you do not mean to
be different from what you have always been,--do you?"

David hesitated, and said, "I hope so, mother."

"Different--how?" she asked quickly.

"I am the King's servant, mamma," he answered with a certain
steadfastness which had much dignity about it.

"Well, what then? what does that mean?"

"Then of course I must do the King's commands, mamma."

"Didn't you always?"

David's answer was prevented by a fresh outburst of Judy's reproaches
and charges, which lasted till her brother took himself out of hearing;
then silence fell. Norton stopped the book exercise and looked about
him. Matilda's face he had seen by glimpses; he knew it was flushed and
anxious and glad at once. Mrs. Laval and her sister were grave, with
different styles of gravity; one thoughtful, the other vexed. Old Mrs.
Lloyd was in tears.

CHAPTER XII.

The atmosphere of the house was very quiet during several successive
days, as far as Matilda could observe it. The boys were extremely busy
at school; and at home there was no public recurrence of Monday night's
discussion. In private Mrs. Laval questioned Matilda very closely as to
all the particulars of their Shadywalk expedition and all that she had
known for weeks past of David's state of mind. She made no comment on
the answers; and Matilda heard no more about the matter, until Saturday
morning came. Then when they were at breakfast, Mrs. Bartholomew said
in a conciliating tone,

"David, my son, I don't see any necessity for that communication you
are proposing to make to your uncles."

"I must go to see them, mamma."

"Certainly; that is all just and proper; but there is no occasion to
talk to them about your change of views."

"Then they would believe me what I am not."

"Well--" said Mrs. Bartholomew; "they would a great deal rather believe
so than know the truth."

"Would you have liked me to hide it from you, mamma?"

"I don't know; yes,--I think I should."

"What would have been your opinion of me by and by, when you came to
find it out?"

"Just the truth," said Judy languidly. "Nothing can make you more of a
sneak than you are already."

"One thing," said David firmly. "To get, or try to get, my uncles'
money under false pretences. You know they would never give it to a
Christian."

"Judy," said Mrs. Lloyd, "another ill-bred wo