r things so."

His uncle lifted him gently into bed, and told him that he would soon
feel easy now.

"Have you told mother?" asked Hugh.

"Yes; we sent to her directly."

"How long did it take?" asked Hugh.

"You have been out of bed only a few minutes--seven or eight, perhaps."

"Oh, uncle, you don't mean really?"

"Really: but we know they seemed like hours to you. Now, your mother
will bring you some tea. When you have had that, you will go to sleep:
so I shall wish you good-night now."

"When will you come again?"

"Very often, till you come to me. Not a word more now. Good-night."

Hugh was half asleep when his tea came up, and quite so directly after
he had drunk it. Though he slept a great deal in the course of the
night, he woke often,--such odd feelings disturbed him! Every time he
opened his eyes, he saw his mother sitting by the fire-side; and every
time he moved in the least, she came softly to look. She would not let
him talk at all till near morning, when she found that he could not
sleep any more, and that he seemed a little confused about where he
was,--what room it was, and how she came to be there by fire-light.
Then she lighted a candle, and allowed him to talk about his friend
Dale, and several school affairs; and this brought back gradually the
recollection of all that had happened.

"I don't know what I have been about, I declare," said he, half
laughing. But he was soon as serious as ever he was in his life, as he
said, "But oh! Mother, tell me,--do tell me if I have let out who
pulled me off the wall."

"You have not,--you have not indeed," replied she. "I shall never ask.
I do not wish to know. I am glad you have not told; for it would do no
good. It was altogether an accident."

"So it was," said Hugh; "and it would make the boy so unhappy to be
pointed at! Do promise me, if I should let it out in my sleep, that you
will never, never tell anybody."

"I promise you. And I shall be the only person beside you while you are
asleep, till you get well. So you need not be afraid.--Now, lie still
again."

She put out the light, and he did lie still for some time; but then he
was struck with a sudden thought which made him cry out.

"O, mother, if I am so lame, I can never be a soldier or a sailor.--I
can never go round the world!"

And Hugh burst into tears, now more really afflicted than he had been
yet. His mother sat on the bed beside him, and wiped away his tea