month
that Graeme and he had passed together up-stairs. March, that had come
in "like a lion" was hastening out "like a lamb;" the sky was clear and
the air was mild; spring was not far-away. The snow lay still in
sullied ridges in the narrow streets where the sun had little power, and
the mud lay deep in the streets where the snow had nearly disappeared.
But the pavements were dry and clean, and in spite of dirty crossings
and mud bespattering carriages, they were thronged with gay promenaders,
eager to welcome the spring. Those who were weatherwise shook their
heads, declaring that having April in March would ensure March weather
when April came, or it might be even in May. So it might prove, but
there was all the more need, because of this, that the most should be
made of the sunshine and the mild air, and even their quiet sweet was
quite gay with the merry goers to and fro, and it seemed to Will and
Graeme that more than a month had passed since his illness began.

Harry had quite decided to go West now, and was as eager and impatient
to be gone as if he had all his life been dreaming of no other future
than that which awaited him there. That he should be so glad to go,
pained his sister as much as the thought of his going. That was at
first, for it did not take Graeme long to discover that Harry was not so
gay as he strove to appear. But her misgivings as to his departure were
none the less sad on that account, and it was with a heavy heart that
she listened to his plans.

Perhaps it was in contrast to Harry's rather ostentations mirth that his
friend Charlie Millar seemed so very grave on the first night that Will
ventured to prolong his stay among them after the gas had been lighted.
Rose was grave, too, and not at ease, though she strove to hide it by
joining in Harry's mirth. Charlie did not strive to hide his gravity,
but sat silent and thoughtful after his first greetings were over. Even
Harry's mirth failed at last, and he leaned back on the sofa, shading
his face with his hands.

"I am afraid your brother would think us very ungrateful if he could see
how badly we are thanking him for his great kindness to Harry."

Graeme forced herself to say it. Allan's name had not been mentioned
among them for days, and the silence, at first grateful, had come to
seem strange and unnatural, and it made Graeme's cheeks tingle to think
what might be the cause. So, looking into Charlie's face with a smile,
s