ugh. "She
will be all right. Bless you, I've been through it five times myself,
and I am none the worse. And when it's over she'll be as comfortable as
never was. It seems worth it then."

A man suddenly turned the corner of the street; he was dressed in a
shabby overcoat with a bowler hat, and he carried a bag in his hand. He
came past us. He looked a busy, overtried man, but he had a
good-humoured air. He nodded pleasantly to the women. One said:

"You are wanted badly in there, doctor."

"Yes," he said cheerfully, "I am making all the haste I can. Where's
John?"

"Oh, he's at work," said the woman. "He didn't expect it to-day. But
he's better out of the way: he 'd be no good; he'd only be interfering
and grumbling; but I'll come across with you, and when it's over, I'll
just run down and tell him."

"That's right," said the doctor, "come along--the nurse will be round
in a minute; and I can make things easy meantime."

Strange to say, it had hardly dawned upon me what was happening. I
turned to Amroth, who stood there smiling, but a little pale, his arm in
mine; fresh and upright, with his slim and graceful limbs, his bright
curled hair, a strange contrast to the slatternly women and the
heavily-built doctor.

"So this," he said, "is where I am to spend a few years; my new father
is a hardworking man, I believe, perhaps a little given to drink but
kind enough; and I daresay some of these children are my brothers and
sisters. A score of years or more to spend here, no doubt! Well, it
might be worse. You will think of me while you can, and if you have the
time, you may pay me a visit, though I don't suppose I shall recognise
you."

"It seems rather dreadful to me," said I, "I must confess! Who would
have thought that I should have forgotten my visions so soon? Amroth,
dear, I can't bear this--that you should suffer such a change."

"Sentiment again, brother," said Amroth. "To me it is curious and
interesting, even exciting. Well, good-bye; my time is just up, I
think."

The doctor had gone into the house, and the cries died away. A moment
after a woman in the dress of a nurse came quickly along the street,
knocked, opened the door, and went in. I could see into the room, a
poorly furnished one. A girl sat nursing a baby by the fire, and looked
very much frightened. A little boy played in the corner. A woman was
bustling about, making some preparations for a meal.

"Let me do you the honours of my new est