m afraid that wasn't much to boast of,« said Snowdon. »She's a poor,
thin-looking child.«
    Sidney was conscious that the old man did not give expression to all he
thought. This mutual exercise of tact seemed, however, to encourage a good
understanding between them rather than the reverse.
    »You remain in the house?« Kirkwood asked as they went downstairs.
    »I stay with her through the night. I didn't feel much confidence in the
doctor that was seeing her, so I made inquiries and found a better man.«
    When they reached the Close, the door was opened to them by Clem Peckover.
She glared haughtily at Sidney, but uttered no word. To Kirkwood's surprise,
they went up to the Hewetts' back-room. The mattress that formerly lay upon the
floor had been removed; the bed was occupied by the sick girl, with whom at
present Mrs. Peckover was sitting. That benevolent person rose on seeing Sidney,
and inclined her head with stateliness.
    »She's just fell asleep,« was her whispered remark. »I shouldn't say myself
as it was good to wake her up, but of course you know best.«
    This was in keeping with the attitude Mrs. Peckover had adopted as soon as
she understood Snowdon's resolve to neglect no precaution on the child's behalf.
Her sour dignity was meant to express that she felt hurt at the intervention of
others where her affections were so nearly concerned. Sidney could not help a
certain fear when he saw this woman installed as sick-nurse. It was of purpose
that he caught her eye and regarded her with a gravity she could scarcely fail
to comprehend.
    Jane awoke from her fitful slumber. She looked with but half-conscious
fearfulness at the figures darkening her view. Sidney moved so that his face was
in the light, and, bending near to her, asked if she recognised him. A smile -
slow-forming, but unmistakable at last - amply justified what her grandfather
had said. She made an effort to move her hand towards him. Sidney responded to
her wish, and again she smiled, self-forgetfully, contentedly.
    Snowdon turned to Mrs. Peckover, and, after a few words with regard to the
treatment that was being pursued, said that he would now relieve her; she
lingered, but shortly left the room. Sidney, sitting by the bed, in a few
minutes saw that Jane once more slept, or appeared to do so. He whispered to
