"That factory-boy, Philip, is downstairs; he brought back a book, and wants
to see you. He seems in trouble; but you don't feel like being bothered
to-day, do you?"

"Did he ask to see me?"

"Not exactly; but showed very plainly he wanted to see you."

"Let him come up."

As, he entered, she rose and held out her hand.

"Good morning, Philip; I am glad you are well enough to be out again."

He looked at her reverently, and, as he noticed the change her illness had
wrought, his lips quivered and his eyes filled.

"Oh, Miss Irene! I am so glad you are better. I prayed for you all the time
while you were so very ill."

"Thank you. Sit down, and tell me about the sick."

"They are all better, I believe, ma'am, except Mrs. Davis. She was wishing
yesterday that she could see you again."

"I shall go there in a day or two. You are walking pretty well without your
crutches. Have you resumed your work."

"I shall begin again to-morrow."

"It need not interfere with your studies. The nights are very long now, and
you can accomplish a great deal if you feel disposed to do so. I think it
possible I can obtain a situation for your father as carpenter on a
plantation in the country, if he will promise to abstain from drinking. I
have heard that he was a very good mechanic, and in the country he would
not meet with such constant temptation. Do you suppose that he will be
willing to leave town?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am! I think so. If you please, Miss Irene, I should be so glad
if you would talk to him, and persuade him to take the pledge before he
starts. I believe he would join the Temperance society if you asked him to
do it. Oh! then I should have some heart to work."

"You and your mother must try to influence him and in a few days I will
talk to him. In the meantime I will see about the situation, which is a
very desirable one. Brighter days will soon come, I trust."

He took his cap from the carpet, rose, and looked at her with swimming
eyes.

"Oh, Miss Irene! I wish I could tell you all I feel. I thank you more than
I can ever express, and so does mother."

"You have finished your book, I see; don't you want another? Nellie will
show you the library, and on the lower book-shelf, on the right-hand side
of the door, you will find a large volume in leather binding--'Plutarch.'
Take it with you, and read it carefully. Good-bye. I shall come down to the
Row to-morrow or next day."

CHAPTER XXV

RECONCILED