tly, "like
Jack was."

To this Maxwell made no reply, but when he set her down in the
brightly-lighted hall a little later, he said,--

"Don't you fret about our Tommy. I should know him fast enough. He
wouldn't run from his own father."

And Milly went in, and that night added another petition to her
prayers:--

"And please God, if the man who ran away from Maxwell is a prodigal son,
bring him back to his father for Jesus' sake. Amen."

CHAPTER VII.

CROSS-EXAMINATION.

"Nurse, where is Miss Millicent? I haven't seen her for days. Fetch her
in here this afternoon, and you go and get a little fresh air; I am well
enough to be left alone now."

Sir Edward's tone was impatient. He was getting to the convalescent
stage, and nurse found him a most trying patient. Nothing would please
him, and he wearied both himself and her with his perpetual complaints.

"I thought she would only worry you, sir. She has been asking me every
day to come in and see you. I will fetch her at once."

Milly shortly appeared in a clean pinafore, her little face radiant with
smiles. As she climbed up into the chair by the bedside and gently
stroked the hand that was given her, she said with sparkling eyes,--

"Nurse says I may stay here all alone with you, uncle; won't that be
lovely? May I give you your medicines, and be your nurse?"

"I can't promise that, but you may sit there and talk to me."

"What shall I talk about?"

"Anything you like. You never seem to be at a loss for conversation."

Milly considered for a moment.

"I've had so few people to talk to lately, you see; I generally talk
most to Fritz. He understands, I'm sure, but he doesn't talk back. When
will you be quite well again, uncle?"

"Not this side of Christmas, I'm afraid."

"Oh dear, what a long time! But I'm very glad God has made you better.
Nurse said it was a mercy you hadn't broken your neck. Do you know,
uncle, I saw such a sad sight yesterday morning. I was down in the fir
plantation with Fritz, and we came upon a dear little rabbit caught in a
steel trap. Maxwell said a poacher had put it there, and he was very
angry. The rabbit was quite dead, and his two hind legs were broken.
Wasn't it dreadful? What is a poacher, uncle?"

"A thief--a man that steals game that isn't his."

"Maxwell says there are lots of poachers about. I'm so afraid he will
think Tommy is one when he comes back. I do hope he will be careful,
because if it's dark he