en nearer the truth. "Let that fly stick
on the wall, sir. What I do, my husband will approve."

"I see how it is. You rule the roost."

Phoebe did not reply point-blank to that; she merely said, "All my
chickens are happy, great and small," and an expression of lofty,
womanly, innocent pride illuminated her face and made it superb for a
moment.

In short, it was settled that Staines should accompany her next morning
to Dale's Kloof Farm, if he chose. On inquiry, it appeared that he had
just returned to the hospital with his patient. He was sent for, and
Phoebe asked him sweetly if he would go with her to her house, one
hundred and eighty miles away, and she would be kind to him.

"On the water?"

"Nay, by land; but 'tis a fine country, and you will see beautiful deer
and things running across the plains, and"--

"Shall I find the past again, the past again?"

"Ay, poor soul, that we shall, God willing. You and I, we will hunt it
together."

He looked at her, and gave her his hand. "I will go with you. Your face
belongs to the past, so does your voice."

He then inquired, rather abruptly, had she any children. She smiled.

"Ay, that I have, the loveliest little boy you ever saw. When you are as
you used to be, you will be his doctor, won't you?"

"Yes, I will nurse him, and you will help me find the past."

Phoebe then begged Staines to be ready to start at six in the morning.
She and Dick would take him up on their way.

While she was talking to him the doctor slipped out, and to tell the
truth he went to consult with another authority, whether he should take
this opportunity of telling Staines that he had money and jewels at the
bank: he himself was half inclined to do so; but the other, who had not
seen Phoebe's face, advised him to do nothing of the kind. "They are
always short of money, these colonial farmers," said he; "she would get
every shilling out of him."

"Most would; but this is such an honest face."

"Well, but she is a mother, you say."

"Yes."

"Well, what mother could be just to a lunatic, with her own sweet angel
babes to provide for?"

"That is true," said Dr. ----. "Maternal love is apt to modify the
conscience."

"What I would do,--I would take her address, and make her promise to
write if he gets well, and if he does get well then write to HIM, and
tell him all about it."

Dr. ---- acted on this shrewd advice, and ordered a bundle to be made up
for the traveller out of t