year. And he said, if he was us--you--he would send him off in time
to Lancaster Asylum. They've ways there both of keeping such people
in order and making them happy. I only tell you what he said,"
continued he, seeing the gathering storm in her face.

"There was no harm in his saying it," she replied, with great self-
constraint, forcing herself to speak coldly instead of angrily.
"Folk is welcome to their opinions."

They sat silent for a minute or two, her breast heaving with
suppressed feeling.

"He's counted a very clever man," said Michael at length.

"He may be. He's none of my clever men, nor am I going to be guided
by him, whatever he may think. And I don't thank them that went and
took my poor lad to have such harsh notions formed about him. If I'd
been there, I could have called out the sense that is in him."

"Well! I'll not say more to-night, Susan. You're not taking it
rightly, and I'd best be gone, and leave you to think it over. I'll
not deny they are hard words to hear, but there's sense in them, as I
take it; and I reckon you'll have to come to 'em. Anyhow, it's a bad
way of thanking me for my pains, and I don't take it well in you,
Susan," said he, getting up, as if offended.

"Michael, I'm beside myself with sorrow. Don't blame me if I speak
sharp. He and me is the only ones, you see. And mother did so
charge me to have a care of him! And this is what he's come to, poor
lile chap!" She began to cry, and Michael to comfort her with