They have been writing about me in the newspapers."

"That was to be expected."

"But they have been writing about you."

"That was to have been expected also. You don't suppose they can hurt
me?" This was a false boast, but in such conversations he was almost
bound to boast.

"It is I, then, am hurting you?"

"You;--oh dear, no; not in the least."

"But I do. They talk of boys going away from the school."

"Boys will go and boys will come, but we run on for ever," said the
Doctor, playfully.

"I can well understand that it should be so," said Mrs. Peacocke, passing
over the Doctor's parody as though unnoticed; "and I perceive that I ought
not to be here."

"Where ought you to be, then?" said he, intending simply to carry on his
joke.

"Where indeed! There is no where. But wherever I may do least injury to
innocent people,--to people who have not been driven by storms out of the
common path of life. For this place I am peculiarly unfit."

"Will you find any place where you will be made more welcome?"

"I think not."

"Then let me manage the rest. You have been reading that dastardly
article in the paper. It will have no effect upon me. Look here, Mrs.
Peacocke;"--then he got up and held her hand as though he were going, but
he remained some moments while he was still speaking to her,--still
holding her hand;--"it was settled between your husband and me, when he
went away, that you should remain here under my charge till his return. I
am bound to him to find a home for you. I think you are as much bound to
obey him,--which you can only do by remaining here."

"I would wish to obey him, certainly."

"You ought to do so,--from the peculiar circumstances more especially.
Don't trouble your mind about the school, but do as he desired. There is
no question but that you must do so. Good-bye. Mrs. Wortle or I will
come and see you to-morrow." Then, and not till then, he dropped her
hand.

On the next day Mrs. Wortle did call, though these visits were to her an
intolerable nuisance. But it was certainly better that she should
alternate the visits with the Doctor than that he should go every day.
The Doctor had declared that charity required that one of them should see
the poor woman daily. He was quite willing that they should perform the
task day and day about,--but should his wife omit the duty he must go in
his wife's place. What would all the world of Bowick say if the Doctor
were to vi