'I shall leave off work at eight o'clock,' I said, so that she might understand I did not wish her to hurry back, and then I shall go round to Josey West for an hour.'
She nodded, and stood looking over my shoulder as I worked.
'If I see Jessie,' she said, and paused.
'Yes, mother, if you see her---- I hope you will see her.'
'I hope so too, dear child. Shall I give her any message from you?'
'Not unless she asks after me, mother; then you may give her my love.'
There was the merest trembling in my voice as I said this, but it was sufficient to agitate my mother's soul. I laid my graver aside, and said,
'You see how it is, mother; I cannot do or act otherwise. Jessie could not know more about me and my feelings if I stood at her door all day long. I never loved her more than I do now, and I believe I shall never love her less; it would not be true if I said I was happy, but I am far happier than I deserve to be. My mother is still left to me, thank God!'
'Dear child! dear child!' she murmured, with tender caresses.
'And you must not think it strange, mother, if I don't ask you questions when you come back. You will tell me whatever is worth telling. Now, one other word, and then you must run away, for I have work to finish. Should you meet with uncle Bryan----'