 said in a grave voice:
    »That poor child is very ill.«
    »Ill? I'm sorry to hear it.«
    »The reason I've come to you, Mr. Kirkwood, is because she's called out your
name so often. They don't seem able to tell me how she came into this state, but
she's had a fright of some kind, or she's been living very unhappily. She calls
on your name, as if she wanted you to protect her from harm. I didn't know what
to think about it at first. I'm a stranger to everybody - I may tell you I've
been abroad for several years - and they don't seem very ready to put trust in
me; but I decided at last that I'd come and speak to you. It's my grandchild,
and perhaps the only one of my family left; nobody can give me news of her
father since he went away four or five years ago. She came to herself this
morning for a little, but I'm afraid she couldn't understand what I tried to
tell her; then I mentioned your name, and I could see it did her good at once.
What I wish to ask of you is, would you come to her bedside for a few minutes?
She might know you, and I feel sure it would be a kindness to her.«
    Sidney appeared to hesitate. It was not, of course, that he dreamt of
refusing, but he was busy revolving all he knew of Jane's life with the
Peckovers, and asking himself what it behoved him to tell, what to withhold.
Daily experience guarded him against the habit of gossip, which is one of the
innumerable curses of the uneducated (whether poor or wealthy), and,
notwithstanding the sympathy with which his visitor inspired him, he quickly
decided to maintain reserve until he understood more of the situation.
    »Yes, yes; I'll go with you at once,« he made haste to reply, when he
perceived that his hesitancy was occasioning doubt and trouble. »In fact, I was
just starting to go and see the Hewetts when you knocked at the door. They're
friends of mine - living in Mrs. Peckover's house. That's how I came to know
Jane. I haven't been there for several days, and when I last saw her, as I was
saying, she seemed as well as usual.«
    »I'
