“Yes,” answered Miss Christie curtly.

“Is he looking well?” asked Emily with a faint attempt at the tone of ordinary interest.

“I should say not at all; it would be queer if he was.”

“Why, Aunt Christie?”

Miss Christie Grant paused.  Confidence had not been reposed in her; to have surprised Emily into it would have given her no pleasure; it would have left her always suspicious that her niece would have withheld it if she could; besides, this rumour might after all be untrue.  She answered, “Because, for one thing, he has had great, at least considerable, losses.”

“Yes, I know,” said Emily.

“But he aye reposed great confidence in me, as a friend should.”

“Yes.”

“And so I would have asked him several questions if I had known how to express myself; but bonds and debentures, and, above all, preference stock, were aye great stumbling-blocks to my understanding.  Men have a way of despising a woman’s notions of business matters; so I contented myself with asking if it was true that he was arranging to take a partner, and whether he would have to make any pecuniary sacrifice in order to effect this?  He said ‘Yes;’ but I’ve been just thinking he meant that in confidence.”

“You shouldn’t tell it to me then.”

“And then he told me (I don’t know whether that was in confidence or not), but——­”

“But what?”

“But I don’t want to have any reservations with my own niece’s child, that was always my favourite, any more than I suppose ye would have any with me.”

Miss Christie here seemed to expect an answer, and waited long enough for Emily to make one, if she was so minded; but as Emily remained silent, she presently went on.

“I made the observation that I had heard he meant to sell his late father’s house; but lest he should think I attached too much importance to his losses, I just added that I knew his children were very well provided for under the will.  He said ‘Yes.’”

“And that was all?” asked Emily, amused at the amount of John’s confidence, and pleased to find that nothing but business had been talked or.

“Yes, that was all—­so far as I know there was nothing more to tell; so I just said before I came away that I was well aware my knowledge of banking was but slender, which was reason enough for my not offering any advice.  Well, if anybody had told me ye could laugh because John Mortimer was less prosperous than formerly, I would not have believed it!”

Emily made haste to look grave again.  It was no secret at all that John Mortimer meant to take a partner; and as to his losses, she did not suppose they would affect his comfort much.

Johnnie Mortimer, however, on hearing of them was roused to a sense of responsibility toward his father, and as a practical proof that he and his sisters were willing to do what they could, proposed to them that they should give up half their weekly allowance of pocket-money.  The twins assented with filial fervour, and Johnnie explained their views to his father, proposing that his own pony should be sold, and the money flung into the gap.