cheerful and warded off many an hour of depression from pain when
Dot's back was bad. I remember one more thing that Allan said that
night, when we were all better and more cheerful, for it was rather a
grave speech for a young man; but then Allan had these fits of
gravity.

"Never mind thinking if you will grow up to be a man, Dot. Wishing
won't help us to die an hour sooner, and the longest life must have
an end some day. What we have to do is to take up our life, and do
the best we can with it while it lasts, and to be kind and patient,
and help one another. Most likely Esther and I will have to work hard
enough all our lives--we shall work, and you may have to suffer; but
we cannot do without you any more than you can do without us. There,
Frankie!"




CHAPTER IV.

UNCLE GEOFFREY.


The day after the funeral Uncle Geoffrey held a family council, at
which we were all present, except mother and Dot; he preferred
talking to her alone afterward.

Oh, what changes! what incredible changes! We must leave Combe Manor
at once. With the exception of a few hundred pounds that had been
mother's portion, the only dowry that her good old father, a naval