me. In the still
hours I lay quietly, planning my future, for now I must make myself
worth having and as soon as possible.

Some will say my determination was worthy of a better lover but, bless
you! I have my own way of doing things and it has not been always so
unsuccessful.

Chapter 31

Hope was not at breakfast with us.

'The child is worn out,' said Mrs Fuller. 'I shall keep her in bed a day
or two.

'Couldn't I see her a moment?' I enquired.

'Dear! no!' said she. 'The poor thing is in bed with a headache.' If
Hope had been ill at home I should have felt free to go and sit by her
as I had done more than once. It seemed a little severe to be shut away
from her now but Mrs Fuller's manner had fore-answered any appeal and I
held my peace. Having no children of her own she had assumed a sort of
proprietorship over Hope that was evident--that probably was why the
girl had ceased to love me and to write to me as of old. A troop of
mysteries came clear to me that morning. Through many gifts and favours
she had got my sweetheart in a sort of bondage and would make a marriage
of her own choosing if possible.

'Is there anything you would like particularly for your breakfast? Mrs
Fuller enquired.

'Hain't no way pertic'lar,' said Uncle Eb. 'I gen rally eat buckwheat
pancakes an' maple sugar with a good strong cup o'tea.

Mrs Fuller left the room a moment.

'Dunno but I'll go out if the barn a minnit 'n take a look at the
hosses,' he said when she came back.

'The stable is a mile away,' she replied smiling.

'Gran' good team ye druv us out with las' night,' he said. 'Hed a chance
t'look 'em over a leetle there at the door. The off hoss is puffed some
for'ard but if yer husband'll put on a cold bandage ev'ry night it'll
make them legs smoother n a hound's tooth.

She thanked him and invited us to look in at the conservatory.

'Where's yer husband?' Uncle Eb enquired.

'He's not up yet,' said she, 'I fear he did not sleep well.

'Now Mis Fuller,' said Uncle Eb, as we sat waiting, 'if there s anything
I can do t'help jes'le'me know what 'tis.

She said there was nothing. Presently Uncle Eb sneezed so powerfully
that it rattled the crystals on the chandelier and rang in the brass
medallions.

The first and second butlers came running in with a frightened look.
There was also a startled movement from somebody above stairs.

'I do sneeze powerful, sometimes,' said Uncle Eb from under his red
bandanna