'I can't keep that thought long; I'm not worthy of it.'
Again he was silent; but presently said, as with a sudden thought, 'You would have told me if there were any news of Ave.'
'No, there has been no letter since her last inclosure for you,' and then Dr. May gave the details from the papers on the doings of Henry's division of the army.
'Will Henry let me be with them?' said Leonard, musingly.
'They will come home, depend upon it. You must wait till you hear.'
Leonard thought a little while, then said, 'Where did you say I was to go, Dr. May?'
'Where, indeed? Home, Leonard—home. Ethel is waiting for us. To the High Street.'
Leonard looked up again with his bewildered face, then said, 'I know what you do with me will be right, but—'
'Had you rather not?' said the Doctor, startled.
'Rather!' and the Doctor, to his exceeding joy, saw the fingers over his eyes moist with the tears they tried to hide; 'I only meant—' he added, with an effort, 'you must think and judge—I can't think—whether I ought.'