"He didn't expect it to-day. But
he's better out of the way: he 'd be no good; he'd only be interfering
and grumbling; but I'll come across with you, and when it's over, I'll
just run down and tell him."
"That's right," said the doctor, "come along--the nurse will be round
in a minute; and I can make things easy meantime."
Strange to say, it had hardly dawned upon me what was happening. I
turned to Amroth, who stood there smiling, but a little pale, his arm in
mine; fresh and upright, with his slim and graceful limbs, his bright
curled hair, a strange contrast to the slatternly women and the
heavily-built doctor.
"So this," he said, "is where I am to spend a few years; my new father
is a hardworking man, I believe, perhaps a little given to drink but
kind enough; and I daresay some of these children are my brothers and
sisters. A score of years or more to spend here, no doubt! Well, it
might be worse. You will think of me while you can, and if you have the
time, you may pay me a visit, though I don't suppose I shall recognise
you."
"It seems rather dreadful to me," said I, "I must confess! Who would
have thought that I should have forgotten my visions so soon? Amroth,
dear, I can't bear this--that you should suffer such a change.
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