"Yes, dear, you've been very, very ill; but you're much better now, and are going to get quite well, the doctor says. That lady who was here a minute since is a hospital nurse that Lord Bentford telegraphed to London for when first you—you broke down. There, I mustn't talk any longer; and you mustn't ask more questions. You shall know everything later on, when you are stronger."
Next day, there was a marked improvement in Dick's condition; and the doctor, when he called to see him in the forenoon, declared him to be getting on better than he had expected.
Accordingly, when Dick and his mother were next left together, the latter did not check the questions that came from the former's lips.
"I'll tell you all that happened, Dick," Mrs. Wilkins said. "After the accident on the lake, both Lord and Lady Bentford came down to our cottage, where you had been carried, and saw what a dreadful state of poverty we were in. Nothing would satisfy his lordship but that we should move at once into this beautiful cottage that happened to be empty, and have everything we needed. Talk of gratitude—I believe Lord and Lady Bentford are so grateful to you and Stranger for saving their only child that you might both 'eat off gold,' as the saying is, if you wanted to. We are to live here—rent free!" declared the widow. "Lord Bentford insists upon it. He has paid for all the furniture, and given us—oh, I can't tell what he hasn't given us! And directly my hand is strong enough to use, I am to go up to his beautiful house every day and work under the housekeeper."
"Mother, 'tis like a dream! Only, I don't want to wake up ever again, if it is."
"Hark!" said his mother. "Do you know that sound—that 'scratch, scratch,' outside the door?"
"Stranger!" breathed the sick boy, his blue eyes brightening. "May he come in and see me?"
"If you feel well enough to see him. His spirits are higher than ever, I do believe!"
So saying, Mrs. Wilkins went to the door, and let the retriever in. And a minute later, the faithful dog was clasped in his master's arms.
"Why, whatever's this?" demanded Dick, when he had blinked the tears of weakness from his eyes. "He's got on a silver collar! And—and there's writing engraved on it. Read it, mother; please do!"