"I watched; but to me he always said, 'Your sister,' and if he had to
speak of her to papa, he said, 'Miss May.' And then you should have
seen his attention to papa. I could hardly get a chance of doing
anything for papa."

"Oh, sure of it!" cried Ethel, clasping her hands. "But, poor man,
how unhappy he must have been at having to go away when she was so
ill!"

"Ay, the last time he saw her was when he carried her upstairs."

"Oh, dear! I hope he will soon come here again!"

"I don't suppose he will. Papa did not ask him."

"Dear me, Norman! Why not? Isn't papa very fond of him? Why
shouldn't he come?"

"Don't you see, Ethel, that would be of no use while poor Margaret is
no better. If he gained her affections, it would only make her
unhappy."

"Oh, but she is much better. She can raise herself up now without
help, and sat up ever so long this morning, without leaning back on
her cushions. She is getting well--you know Sir Matthew said she
would."

"Yes; but I suppose papa thinks they had better say nothing till she
is quite well."