‘Do not let us speak of that now, my dear, I want to hear of—­’ and again he would have drawn her into his embrace, but she held out her hand, with her repelling gesture, and burst forth in her rude honesty, ’I can’t be forgiven only because I am ill.  Hear all about it, papa, and then say you forgive me if you can.  I always was cross to mamma, because I was determined I would be; and I did not think she had any business with us.  The more she was kind, the more I did not like it; and I thought it was mean in Gilbert and Lucy to be fond of her.  No!  I have not done yet!  I grew naughtier and naughtier, till at last I have been false and sly, and—­have done this to baby—­ and I would not have cared then—­if—­if she would not have been—­oh! so good!’

Sophy made no farther resistance to the arm that was thrown round her, as her father said, ’So good, that she has overcome evil with good.  My child, how should I not forgive when you are sensible of your mistake, and when she has so freely forgiven?’

Sophy did not speak, but she pressed his arm closer round her, and laid her cheek gratefully on his shoulder.  She only wished it could last for ever; but he soon lifted her, that he might look anxiously at her face, while he said, ’And what is all this, my dear!  I am afraid you are not well.’

Her energies were recalled; and, squeezing his hand, she said, ’Mind, you will not let them say it was mamma’s fault.’

‘Who is accusing her, my dear?’ What is the matter?’

‘It is only my back,’ said Sophy; ’there always was a stupid pain there; but grandmamma’s Betty said I made a fuss, and that it was all laziness, and I would not let any one say so again, and I never told of it, and it went on till the other night I grew faint at church, and Mrs. Dusautoy put mamma in such a fright, that we all came here yesterday; and there came a doctor this morning, who says my spine is not straight, and that I must lie on my back for a long time; but never mind, papa, it will be very comfortable to lie still and read, and I shall not be cross now,’ she added reassuringly, as his grasp pressed her close, with a start of dismay.

’My dear, I am afraid you hardly know what you may have to go through, but I am glad you meet it bravely.’

‘But you wont let them say mamma did it?’

‘Who should say so?’

‘Aunt Maria will, and mamma will go and say so herself,’ cried Sophy; ’she will say it was taking walks and carrying baby, and it’s not true.  I told the doctor how my back ached long before baby came or she either, and he said that most likely the weakness had been left by the fever.  So if it is any one’s mismanagement, it is Aunt Maria’s, and if you wont tell her so, I will.’

’Gently, Sophy, that would hardly be grateful, after the pains that she has taken with you, and the care she meant to give.’

‘Her care was all worry,’ said Sophy, ’and it will be very lucky if I don’t tell her so, if she says her provoking things to mamma.  But you wont believe them, papa.’