“Is—­is not Mr. Jocelyn well?” he asked apprehensively.

“I fear he isn’t well at all,” she answered with some despondency.  “He is sleeping now; he always rests Sunday afternoon, and we try to let him rest all he can.  He sleeps, or rather dozes, a great deal, and seems losing his strength and energy,” and she spoke quite frankly concerning their plans, projects, and hopes.  She believed in Roger, and knew him to be a sincere friend, and it was her nature to be very outspoken where she had confidence.  “If Millie can learn thoroughly what she is now studying,” she concluded, “I think we can get along.”

“Yes,” said Roger, in low, sad emphasis, “your sister is indeed one of a million, and my chance of winning one friendly thought from her also seems but one in a million.  Belle, let us understand each other from the start.  I have come to the city to stay, and I intend to succeed.  I have an uncle in town who has given me a chance, and he’ll do more for me, I think.  He’s peculiar, but he’s shrewd and sensible, and when he is convinced that I intend to carry out certain plans he will aid me.  He is watching me now, and thinks I am here only from a restless impulse to see the world; by and by he will know better.  He has the obstinate Atwood blood, and if he takes a notion to give me a chance to get a first-class education, he will see me through.  I’m going to have one anyway, but of course I’d rather be able to get it in five or six years than in eight or ten years, as would be the case if I had to work my own way.  I am now employed in his commission store down town, but I am studying every spare moment I can get, and he knows it, only he thinks it won’t last.  But it will, and I shall at least try to be one of the first lawyers in this city.  What’s more, I shall work as few young men are willing to work or can work, for I am strong, and—­well, I have motives for work that are not usual, perhaps.  You see I am frank with you as you have been with me.  You often talk like a gay child, but I understand you well enough to know that you are a whole-souled little woman, and thoroughly worthy of trust; and I have told you more about myself and present plans than any one else.  Clara Bute informed me all about your courage at the store, and I felt proud that I knew you, and don’t intend that you shall ever be ashamed of me.  You may tell your mother all this if you please, because I wish her to know just what kind of a young fellow I am, and what are my connections and prospects.  I would much like to come and see you and go out with you now and then; and if you and your—­well, your family should ever need any service that it was in my power to render, I should like you all to feel that I am not altogether unfit to give it, or to be your associate.”

“You needn’t talk that way,” said Belle; “you are up in the world compared with us.”

“I mean every word I say.  I respect your mother as I do my own, for I have seen her beautiful life and beautiful face for weeks and months.  I never expect to see a more perfect and genuine lady.  I am not well versed in society’s ways, but I assure you I would make every effort in my power to act as she would think a young man ought to act.  I’d rather fight a dragon than displease her.”