to jar the young man, who was
too weak after the long journey to do more than turn his eyes on his
mother's face.

But that mother's face! It seemed to him he had never seen it so
radiant and charming, for all that her hair had grown silvery white in
the three years since he had last kissed her. He could not take his
eyes from it, and besought her not to leave his side, even when the
Elder bade her go and not excite him, but allow him to rest.

No sooner was her son laid on his own bed in his old room than she
began a series of gentle ministrations most sweet to the boy and to
herself. But the Elder had been told that all he needed now was rest
and absolute quiet, and the surgeon's orders must be carried out
regardless of all else. Hester Craigmile yielded, as always, to the
Elder's will, and remained without, seated close beside her son's
door, her hands, that ached to serve, lying idle in her lap, while the
Elder brought him his warm milk and held it to his lips, lifting his
head to drink it, and then left him with the command to sleep.

"Don't go in for an hour at least," he enjoined on his wife as he
passed her and took his way to the bank, for it was too early for
closing, and there would still be time for him to look into his
affairs a bit. Thus for the banker the usual routine began.

Not so for Hester Craigmile. Joy and life had begun for her. She had
her boy again--quite to herself when the Elder was away, and the tears
for very happiness came to her eyes and dropped on her hands
unchecked. Had the Elder been there he would have enjoined upon her to
be controlled and she would have obeyed, but now there was no need,
and she wept deliciously for joy while she still sat outside the door
and listened. Intense--eager--it seemed almost as if she could hear
him breathe.

"Mother!" Hark! Did he speak? "Mother!" It was merely a breath, but
she heard and went swiftly to him. Kneeling, she clasped him, and her
tears wet his cheek, but at the same time they soothed him, and he
slept. It was thus the Elder found them when he returned from the
bank, both sweetly sleeping. He did not take his wife away for fear of
waking his son, nevertheless he was displeased with her, and when they
met at table that evening, she knew it.

The whole order of the house was changed because of Peter Junior's
return. Blinds, windows, and doors were thrown open at the direction
of the physician, that he might be given all the air and sun