to put it in the tool-house, just to see how it looks
after being shut up in the dark without air," said Kezia in her most
determined manner.

"In the tool-house!" exclaimed Mr Fluke. "What in the world made you
put it there, Joseph?"

"Kezia bade me, sir, and you know I dare not disobey her," answered
Joseph, demurely.

"And I bade him just for the reason I said," exclaimed Kezia.

"Let us see it by all means," cried Mr Fluke, hastening in the
direction of the tool-house, which was in a corner of the garden on the
north side, out of sight.

Kezia stalked on before her master and her husband. She entered first,
and came out with a flower-pot in her hand. The tulip, instead of
having gained in size and beauty, looked withered, and its once proud
head hung down, its colours sadly faded.

"There," she exclaimed; "that's just like our Owen. You shut him up in
your dark office, and expect him to grow up strong and healthy, with the
same bright complexion he had when he came to us. Some natures will
stand it, but his, it is very certain, cannot. Maybe, if we put this
tulip in the sun and give it air and water, it will recover; and so may
he, if you allow him to enjoy the fresh breezes, and the pure air of the
sea. Otherwise, as I have told you, all your kindness and the good
intentions you talk of to advance him in life will come to nothing. I
repeat it, Mr Fluke, Owen Hartley will be in his grave before another
year is out if he has to breathe for eight hours or more every day the
close atmosphere of Kelson, Fluke and Company's office."

Mr Fluke walked away without answering Kezia, and kept pacing up and
down the garden in a state of perturbation very unusual for him.

Owen had been kept at the office, and did not get home until late. He
observed that Mr Fluke was watching him narrowly.

"Yes, you do look somewhat pale," said the old gentleman; "I see it now.
How do you feel, boy?"

"Very well, sir," answered Owen, naturally enough; "only a little tired
now and then. It is my own fault, I suppose, that I do not sleep so
soundly as I used to do, and do not care much about my food."

The next day, although without any preconcerted arrangement, Captain
Aggett called at Mr Fluke's office, and desired to see him on private
business.

The captain had been a regular customer for many years, and Mr Fluke
held him in great respect.

"I have taken a fancy to that boy of yours, a relative I understand. I
ha