nknowing that it was her grandfather's.

He saw her for a few moments on the day of her arrival.

"I hear you are going to be made strong and well," was the old man's
greeting.

"Yes," returned Sophy, with a wise look. "They are going to try and mend
me straight. I hope they won't make a mistake this time. Mistakes are so
vexatious."

"When you are well would you like to live with me? I want a little girl
about the house."

"What for? You have lots and lots of people to do things for you."

Mr. Waldron sighed. "I would like somebody to do things without being
paid for their work."

"Oh, I understand," replied Sophy. "Well, I'll see how my leg turns out,
and if father thinks you a nice old man--of course it will all depend on
father."

"Confound it! I forgot the father!"

"You mustn't say naughty words, Mr. Sir," remonstrated Sophy, shaking a
forefinger at him. "And you mustn't speak horrid of my father; I love
him."

[Sidenote: "Could you Love me?"]

Old Mr. Waldron regarded her wistfully. "Do you think you could love me,
Sophy?"

The child eyed him critically.

"I like you in bits," she replied. "But perhaps the good bits may
spread, then I should like you very much."

Just then the doctor came to take her to the room prepared, where a
pleasant-faced nurse was in waiting.

Some hours afterwards, when Dr. Norman's task was done, and poor little
Sophy lay white but peaceful on her bed, she looked up at the nurse,
saying with a whimsical smile--

"I should like to see the grumpy man."

"And so you shall, my dear," was the nurse's hasty assurance. "Whoever
can that be?" she muttered under her breath.

"Why, the grumpy man downstairs," reiterated Sophy.

"Would it be right?" questioned her father, who knelt by the bed,
holding a small hand clasped firmly in his own.

"I'll see what the doctor says," replied the nurse, retiring into the
adjoining room.

She speedily returned to say that Dr. Norman would go down himself to
bring up old Mr. Waldron.

Sophy turned a pale face contentedly to her father.

"Dear dadums," she whispered, "now you will see my friend. He is not
such a bad old man, though he does grunt sometimes."

For answer Philip Waldron bowed his head upon the hand he held, and
waited.

Soon steps and voices were heard outside.

"Is this the room? A terrible way up! Why didn't you put her a floor
lower? Quieter?--oh, well, have your own way!"

The doctor and Mr. Waldron entered