to set about mending matters, but I thought I'd go and talk to Miss
Travers; and if ever there was a kind heart in a girl's breast, hers is
one."

"You are right there, I guess. What did Miss Travers say?"

"Nay; I hardly know what she did say, but she set me thinking, and it
struck me that Jessie--Mrs. Somers--had better move to a distance, and
out of the Captain's reach, and that Will would do better in a less
out-of-the-way place. And then, by good luck, I read in the newspaper
that a stationary and a fancywork business, with a circulating library,
was to be sold on moderate terms at Moleswich, the other side of London.
So I took the train and went to the place, and thought the shop would
just suit these young folks, and not be too much work for either; then I
went to Miss Travers, and I had a lot of money lying by me from the sale
of the old forge and premises, which I did not know what to do with; and
so, to cut short a long story, I bought the business, and Will and his
wife are settled at Moleswich, thriving and happy, I hope, sir."

Tom's voice quivered at the last words, and he turned aside quickly,
passing his hand over his eyes.

Kenelm was greatly moved.

"And they don't know what you did for them?"

"To be sure not. I don't think Will would have let him self be
beholden to me. Ah! the lad has a spirit of his own, and Jessie--Mrs.
Somers--would have felt pained and humbled that I should even think of
such a thing. Miss Travers managed it all. They take the money as a loan
which is to be paid by instalments. They have sent Miss Travers more
than one instalment already, so I know they are doing well."

"A loan from Miss Travers?"

"No; Miss Travers wanted to have a share in it, but I begged her not. It
made me happy to do what I did all myself; and Miss Travers felt for me
and did not press. They perhaps think it is Squire Travers (though he is
not a man who would like to say it, for fear it should bring applicants
on him), or some other gentleman who takes an interest in them."

"I always said you were a grand fellow, Tom. But you are grander still
than I thought you."

"If there be any good in me, I owe it to you, sir. Think what a drunken,
violent brute I was when I first met you. Those walks with you, and I
may say that other gentleman's talk, and then that long kind letter I
had from you, not signed in your name, and written from abroad,--all
these changed me, as the child is changed at nurse.