don't want to think about yourself?
Well, he has to be where he can have good nursing, and doctors night and
day, and lots of things he couldn't have at home; and if you want him to
get well at all, you must bear with his being taken away from you for a
bit. You mustn't mind it's being harder for you now, if it's going to be
better for him later."

"But I want to help."

"Help! My dear, there'll be plenty of ways for you to help! More than
you can reckon. I don't know, I'm sure, how,"--but Mrs. Carter broke off
abruptly. She did not want to add to their trouble now.

Tom, who had been walking along silently all this time, guessed what she
meant. "We shall have plenty to do," he said gravely, "there'll be all of
us to keep while father is away, and you and me'll have to try to do it,
Bella."

By this time they were inside the gate, and at the sight of the ambulance
standing in the garden Bella nearly broke down again. Her father had
already been brought out and laid in it, so they were spared that ordeal,
but at the sight of his grey-white face, and closed eyes, and bandaged
form, Bella almost fainted, and Tom had to clench his hands tight, to try
and stop their trembling.

"He wants to speak to you," said the nurse, beckoning to them to come
forward; "he would not go until he had seen you."

Almost timidly they drew close to his side and leaned over him. For a
moment he did not look or speak; then, very feebly, his eyelids fluttered
and opened, and the pallid lips moved, but the words that came through
them were so faint they could barely catch them.

"You'll look after them--till--I come back?"

"Oh yes, yes," sobbed Bella passionately.

"We'll take care of them, father," said Tom, speaking very slowly and
distinctly, trying hard all the time to keep his lips steady and his eyes
from growing misty. "Don't you worry, we can manage. They shan't want
for anything, if we can help it. Shall they, Bella?"

"No, no! only make haste and come back, father!" wept Bella.

"God bless you both!" gasped the poor injured father. "Now kiss me,
Bella; you'll look after the little one? Tom, boy, take care of them
all."

They both promised again, as they bent down and kissed him.

"And you'll come and see me--in the hospital--Saturdays?"

"Where is it you are going?" asked Bella hurriedly; she had forgotten that
in her excitement.

"To Norton," he gasped, his strength fast failing.

Then some one led the