"Yes, Teddy, it was."
"I always knew you were clever, and only wanted teaching. You must read 'Ivanhoe.'"
"I will, Teddy."
"And 'The Old Curiosity Shop,' and 'The Cricket on the Hearth.' Oh, how I've laughed and cried over them. Is Miss Emily pretty?"
"Very pretty, Ted."
"That's nice. I like pretty things--faces, flowers, and pictures. I can shut my eyes and see them--oh, such crowds of them, disappearing and coming up again. I am sorry for poor Dr. Porter. Perhaps you will see Miss Emily again."
"I hope so."
"There was little Alice Goldsmid; she was my sweetheart"--he was wandering now--"and she died a long, long time ago. I shall see her. She wore a white dress and a blue necklace. Is that you, father?"
"Yes, my boy," replied Mr. Meadows, who, with his wife, had just entered the room; "do you feel better?"
"Much better; oh, so much better! Give me your hand, father." He took it and held it to his lips. "Did you hear about Timothy and his new-laid egg?"