locomotive disturbed the silence. The fire burned low in the grate.

Suddenly, the father awoke with a start. "I tell you he is my son," he
said aloud. "I am his father, and I ought to father him--my heart goes
out--my son--"

"What is it, father?" cried Lucy, running to him, and putting her arm
around his shoulders.

The father looked about, fully awakened.

"I was only dreaming," he explained. "Did I talk in my sleep?"

Just then Uncle Gilbert came in. He announced that tomorrow he would of
necessity have to leave for Liverpool. It would be a short trip only; he
would be back in two or three days, during which all of them should
continue to make themselves comfortable.

"George, here, is getting along famously," he declared. "A few more days
of absolute rest, and you'll be all right, eh, brother?"

"I think so."

Aunt Sarah now announced luncheon, and they all filed out of the room.

That evening the two brothers were alone. "I want to talk to you," the
visitor had said; and his brother was willing that he should. Evidently,
something weighed heavily on his mind, some imaginary trouble, brought
on by his weakened physical condition.