"Yes, father, if you can spare me."
The housekeeper moved toward the door, having shaken hands with Jessup, cautioned him against taking cold, and recommending a free use of port wine and other strengthening drinks, which, she assured him, would set him up sooner than all the medicines in the world.
CHAPTER XLV.
EXCELLENT ADVICE.
WHEN once in the garden, Mrs. Mason grew very serious, and stood some time in silence watching Ruth, who, bending low, was sweeping the green leaves from a host of plump berries, clustering red ripe in the sunshine. At last she spoke, with an effort, and her voice was abrupt if not severe.
"Ruth," she said, "I have a thing to say which troubles me."
Ruth looked up wistfully.
"Why is it that you try to keep secrets from your sick father?"
"Secrets!" faltered the girl.