and
having to tell him that things are rather slack. You know the doctor says
he will soon be able to go down to the mills himself, and then he'll know
the truth,' said Sarah, who, it will be observed, had quite changed in
her feelings towards her father.

'Well, they say when things come to the worst they will mend, and things
have come to about the worst with us, so let's hope they will mend,' said
George, rousing himself and trying to speak cheerfully.

'That proverb is rubbish,' said Sarah, with some of her old violence;
'things often come to the worst and just end there.'

'We've done our best, anyway, so we shall have that consolation,'
remarked George.

'How much longer can you hold out?' inquired the practical Sarah.

'Practically I'm at the end of my tether, and was thinking of warning the
hands that the mills may have to shut down at the end of next week.'

'Oh, wait a day, George, and don't do anything without asking father
first; he ought to be asked, and he may think of a way out of the
difficulty,' entreated his sister.

'All right; but a day won't make any difference, unless a miracle
happens,' observed George.

'Father will have been out for his first drive, and will be stronger, for
one thing,' said Sarah. 'And, who knows? a miracle may happen.'

'Lady Grace and Mr and Miss Cunningham to see you, Miss Sarah,' announced
Sykes.

Sarah gave a little cry of joy, and looked significantly at her brother.
'Oh George'----she began.

But he said hastily, 'Don't ask a favour, Sarah. When people come to pay
a call of civility they don't want to be bothered about business.'

'Very well,' said Sarah, who was not so self-willed as she used to be.

Horatia rushed at her. 'Oh Sarah! I am so glad to see you, and so sorry
to see Balmoral--I mean, not to see it. Father wants to look over your
mills, and I want to see your father,' she cried, bubbling over with high
spirits as ever.

Meanwhile Lady Grace and Mr Cunningham were shaking hands with George,
and congratulating him upon his energy and plucky attempt to keep on his
father's business.

'Let's all go down to the mills,' cried Horatia.

'It's dinner-hour now; but if you will stop and have lunch with us we
shall be very glad, and we will go after lunch. It won't be a Balmoral
lunch,' said George, smiling at her.

'All the better; we shall be finished the sooner,' said Horatia,' and the
mills take an awfully long time to see.'

'Then will you c