The boy was paler, but he had drawn himself to his full height.

"I have not forgotten, sir," he answered bitterly. "Do I show any
signs of forgetting? Haven't I done your bidding year by year?
Aren't I here now to do it?"

"Then do it!" Mr. Fentolin retorted sharply. "When I am ready for
you to leave here, you shall leave. Until then, you are mine.
Remember that. Ah! this is Doctor Sarson who comes, I believe.
That must mean that it is five o'clock. Come in, Doctor. I am not
engaged. You see, I am alone with my dear niece and nephew. We
have been having a little pleasant conversation."

Doctor Sarson bowed to Esther, who scarcely glanced at him. He
remained in the background, quietly waiting.

"A very delightful little conversation," Mr. Fentolin concluded.
"I have been congratulating my nephew, Doctor, upon his wisdom in
preferring the quiet country life down here to the wearisome routine
of a profession. He escapes the embarrassing choice of a career by
preferring to devote his life to my comfort. I shall not forget it.
I shall not be ungrateful. I may have my faults, but I am not
ungrateful. Run away now, both of you. Dear children you are, but
one wearies, you know, of everything. I am going out. You see,
the twilight is coming. The tide is changing. I am going down to
meet the sea."

His little carriage moved towards the door. The brother and sister
passed out. Esther led Gerald into the great dining-room, and from