,
with a sudden change of manner.

Johnnie's face was deeply tinged; he bent down his head and did not
answer, till, when the inquiry was repeated, he whispered, 'Mamma said
Aunt Helen was so very good. Mamma read to me about the dew-drops,
in her written book. She told me about her when I had the blister on,
because, she said, her thoughts helped one to be patient and good.'

Percy put his arm round him, and his sigh or movement surprised Johnnie,
who uneasily looked at his aunt. 'Ought I not to have said it?'

'Yes, indeed, Johnnie, boy. There is nothing so pleasant to me to hear,'
said Percy. 'Good night; I shall like you all the better for caring for
my dear sister Helen.'

'Being dead, she yet speaketh,' murmured he, as the children went.
'Strange how one such tranquil, hidden life, which seemed lost and
wasted, has told and is telling on so many!'

Even the peace and happiness of that evening could not remove the
effects of over-fatigue, and Percy insisted on Theodora's going early
to rest, undertaking again to watch by Arthur. She objected, that he had
been up all last night.

'I cannot go home to bed. If you sent me away, I should wander in the
Square, apostrophizing the gas-lamps, and be found to-morrow in the
station, as a disorderly character. You had better make my superfluous
energies available in Arthur's service. Ask if I may come in.'

Theodora thought the sick-room had acquired quite a new aspect. A Sunday
air pervaded the whole, seeming to radiate from Violet, as she sat by
the fire; the baby asleep, in his little pink-lined cradle, by her side.
The patient himself partook of the freshened appearance, as the bright
glow of firelight played over his white pillows, his hair smooth and
shining, and his face where repose and cheerfulness had taken the place
of the worn, harassed expression of suffering. Of the welcome there
could be no doubt. Arthur's hands were both held out, and did not let
her go, after they had drawn her down to kiss him and sit beside him on
the bed.

'Well done! Theodora,' he said; 'I am glad it is made up. He is the best
fellow living, and well you deserve--'

'O, don't say so!'

'Not that he is the best?' said Arthur, squeezing hard both her hands,
as he used to do in fond, teasing schoolboy days. 'I shall not say one
without the other. Such a pair is not to be found in a hurry. You only
wanted breaking-in to be first-rate, and now you have done it.'

'No, it was your