al. With the remembrance of all that her brightness had been to
him, he could not bring himself to forbid it to others.

"Be as happy as you can, darling, and make other people happy too. So
long as you consider their feelings, and are careful not to go too far,
you will do no harm. Good-bye, my piccaninny! God bless you! Never
mind if you are not clever. Go on loving and making sunshine, and you
will do a great work in the world. Remember your old father when you
get back among your new friends!"

"I'll think of you for ever!" said Pixie solemnly. "Haste and get well,
Major, and come and take me out. You must be getting tired of your bed,
poor creature, but I'm glad you have no pain! You won't be here long
now."

"No, not long," said the Major quietly. Then he held up his lips to be
kissed, murmuring the last, the very last words of farewell, "Good-bye,
dearest. Thank you for being such a good, loving little daughter!"

"Thank you, me dear, for the father you have been to me!" returned
Pixie, in a tone of gracious condescension which made the listener smile
through his tears. That was a sweet characteristic little speech to
cherish as the last! He shut his eyes in token of dismissal, and Pixie
stole away, somewhat sobered and impressed, for the Major had not been
given to improving an occasion, but free from the vaguest suspicion that
she had bidden him her last farewell.

Downstairs Esmeralda was waiting to drive the cart to the station, and
at the station itself Mr Hilliard was standing ready to receive the
travellers and make every preparation for their comfort. No one seemed
in the least surprised to see him, for in Jack's absence he had quietly
taken upon himself the part of an elder son, and in every emergency had
stepped forward and filled the gap so efficiently and with such tact
that he seemed more like a friend of years' standing than an
acquaintance of a few weeks. His business in London had apparently been
accomplished in a flying visit of forty-eight hours, during which time
he had seen Jack, and eased anxiety by a personal report of the invalid,
and here he was back again, declaring that there was no reason to keep
him in town, and that if he could be of the slightest use at Bally
William, there was no place in the world where he would sooner remain.
Bridgie smiled to herself with quiet understanding, and Esmeralda grew
thoughtful, and her white cheeks hung out a flag of welcome every