and eat down by him.

"Is Sir J. C---- gone, Ma'am?"

"Yes, he has been gone some minutes."

"What does he say?" asked the lad earnestly. "He said very little to me,
nothing indeed, only all that fudge I am always hearing--'rest,
patience,' and so on."

"He thinks it a very serious case, my dear; he says that the recumbent
posture is very important."

"But for how long, Ma'am? I would lie twelve months patiently enough if
I hoped then to be allowed to walk about, and to be able to do as other
boys do."

"Sir J. C---- thinks, Joe, that you never will recover. I am grieved to
tell you so, but it is the truth, and we think it best you should know
it. Your spine is so injured that it is impossible you should ever
recover; but you may have many enjoyments, though not able to be active
like other boys. You must keep up your spirits; it is the will of God
and you must submit."

Poor Mrs. Parker having disburdened her mind of a great load, and
performed her dreaded task, left the room, telling her husband that the
boy bore it very well, indeed, he did not seem to feel it much. The bell
being already out for church, she called the young people to accompany
her thither, leaving one maid-servant and the errand boy at home, and
poor Joe to meditate on his newly-acquired information that he would be