hem both 'normously. Isn't it
a long letter? And, oh dear! if she's home I shan't see her.'

'Would you like me to take you back to your grandmother?'

Bobby slipped down from his chair and caught hold of his father's hand
with imploring eyes.

'Father, dear, you won't do it, will you? You'll never let me leave
you?'

Mr. Allonby took him upon his knee and gave him one of his rare kisses.

'I'm afraid I'm not good enough to be your father, sonny. You expect
such a lot from me, and I can only give so little. I shall be a
terrible disappointment to you all round.'

But Bobby laid his curly head against his father's shoulder and clasped
him round the neck.

'I belongs to you, and you belongs to me,' he said, with infinite
satisfaction in his tone, and Mr. Allonby answered, with a little
embarrassed laugh:

'And finding's keeping, my little boy. We'll hold together for the
present, at any rate.'

Chapter IX.

'SHE HAS LEFT US!'

Of course Lady Isobel's letter had to be answered, and the wonderful
news told of Bobby's change of home. His letter took him a long time
to write, and True helped him a great deal. Mrs. Allonby sent it as it
was, with all the imperfections of spelling and many a blot and
erasure; but she added a little note herself, as Bobby's left much to
be explained.

'MY DEAR LADY FREND--

'Me and Nobbles is kite wel, so is True. Father came at last. He
tuked me in a motor home. I have a knew mother. She is very nice. We
saw sum reel wite gates, but they was loked. We mene to find sum more.
Me and Nobbles runned away and hid under the sete. We did not go back
no more. Plese come and see me in this house, and giv Master Mort'mer
my best luv. I warnt to see him agen. I went in the rode to mete my
father and he comed, but I did not no him. Thank you verry much for
the piksher. I shall like it wen it comes and so will True. She
spells my leter for me.

Your loving boy,
BOBBY.'

And when the letter was sent, Bobby set himself to watch for his
picture.

It came very soon, and to his eyes was a miracle of beauty.

Mrs. Allonby had it framed for him and hung up over his bed in the
dressing-room. He was never tired of looking at it, and what pleased
him most was a little boy about his own age just being let inside the
gates by a kind faced angel.

'Look at his white dress; not one tiny spot, Nobbles,' he would
exclaim. 'That's me going in, and I shall walk ri