CHAPTER XLII
HUMBLE PIE

Bertha had just arrived from her tour, having rushed home on the tidings
of a quarrel between the doctors and the lady nurses of her pet hospital;
and she had immediately dashed down to Northmoor to secure her cousin as
one of the supporters. She sat by Lady Adela's fire, very much
disconcerted at hearing that he was not come home yet, though expected
every day.

'What should he have gone off to Canada for? He might have been
contented to stay at home, after having lost all this time by his
illness. Oh, yes, I know that sounds ungrateful, when it was all in the
cause of my little Cea. I shall be thankful to him all my life, but all
the same, he ought to be at home when he is wanted, and I wonder he liked
to fly off just when he had got his dear little boy back again.'

'He did not like it, but thought it his duty.'

'Duty--what, to Herbert? Certainly the boy has come out very well in
this matter, considering that the finding Mite was to his own detriment;
but probably he has found his vocation as a colonist. Still Northmoor
might have let him find that for himself.'

'Do you know where the home he found is, Bertha?'

'Somewhere about Lake Winnipeg, isn't it?'

'Yes; and the name is Northmoor.'

'Named by Herbert, eh? Or didn't John Tulse go out? Did he name the
place in loyalty to us?'

'Not John Tulse, but one who told Herbert that his happiest days were
spent here.'

'Adela, you mean something. Don't tantalise me. Is it Fred Alder? And
was he kind to the boy for old sake's sake, because he bore the old name?
Did he think he was your Mike?'

Bertha was leaning forward now, devouring Adela with her eyes.

'He was much puzzled to understand who Herbert was, but he gave him great
help. The man could hardly have been made to speak if he had not brought
him to his bearings. Herbert has been living with him and his
brother-in-law ever since, and is going to remain as a farming-pupil.'

'Married of course to a nasal Yankee?'

'No.'

There was a pause. Bertha drew herself back in her chair, Adela busied
herself with the tea-cups. Presently came the question--

'Did Northmoor know?'

'Yes, he did.'

'And was that the reason of his going out?'

'Herbert was one motive, but I do not think he would have gone if there
had not been another reason.'

'You did not ask him?' she said hotly.

'Certainly not.'

'I don't want any one to interfere,' said Bertha, in