Ellen and Alfred both cried out as if they had never heard of anything so shocking.

‘It was grievous,’ said Mr. Cope; ’but the poor things did not know the value, and when there was scarcely a morsel of bread in the house, there was cause enough for not judging them hardly, but I don’t think Jem would allow it now.  He got some of his little friend’s easy Scripture lessons and the like, in large print, which he croons over as he lies there alone, till one feels sure that they are working into his heart.  The people in the house say that though he has been ill these three years, he has never spoken an ill-tempered word; and if any one pities him, he answers, “It is the Lord,” and seems to wish for no change.  He lies there between dozing and dreaming and praying, and always seems content.’

‘Does he think he shall get well?’ said Alfred, who had been listening earnestly.

’Oh no; there is no chance of that; it is an injury past cure.  But I suppose that while he bears the Will of God so patiently here, his Heavenly Father makes it up to him in peacefulness of heart now, and the hope of what is to come hereafter.’

Alfred made no answer, but his eyes shewed that he was thinking; and Mr. Cope rose, and looked out of window, as a gleam of sunshine, while the dark cloud lifted up from the north-west, made the trees and fields glow with intense green against the deep grey of the sky, darker than ever from the contrast.  Ellen stood up, and Alfred exclaimed, ‘Oh Sir, please come again soon!’

‘Very soon,’ said Mr. Cope good-humouredly; ’but you’ve not got rid of me yet, the rain is pretty hard still, and I see the beggarmen dancing all down the garden-walk.’

Alfred and Ellen smiled to hear their mother’s old word for the drops splashing up again; and Mr. Cope went on: 

’The garden looks very much refreshed by this beautiful shower.  It is in fine order.  Is it the other monarch’s charge?’

‘Harold’s, Sir,’ said Ellen.  ’Yes, he takes a great pride in it, and so did Alfred when he was well.’

’Ah, I dare say; and it must be pleasant to you to see your brother working in it now.  I see him under that shed, and who is that lad with him?  They seem to have some good joke together.’

‘Oh,’ said Ellen, ’Harold likes company, you see, Sir, and will take up with anybody.  I wish you could be so good as to speak to him, Sir, for lads of that age don’t mind women folk, you see, Sir.’

‘What?  I hope his majesty does not like bad company?’ said Mr. Cope, not at all that he thought lightly of such an evil, but it was his way to speak in that droll manner, especially as Ellen’s voice was a little bit peevish.

‘Nobody knows no harm of the chap,’ said Alfred, provoked at Ellen for what he thought unkindness in setting the clergyman at once on his brother; but Ellen was the more displeased, and exclaimed: 

’Nor nobody knows no good.  He’s a young tramper that hired with Farmer Shepherd yesterday, a regular runaway and reprobate, just out of prison, most likely.’