"It must be some tramp prowling around in the hope of getting something to eat. Anyway, I will soon find out——"
Just then the window was raised, the shutters thrown wide open by some person, who leaned part way out the window in full view.
One glance was enough for Fred Sheldon to recognize that face and form, the dearest on earth, as seen in the starlight, with the yellow rays of the lamp behind them.
"Halloo, mother! Ain't I glad to see you? How are you? Bless your dear soul! What made you stay away so long?"
"Fred, my own boy!"
And leaning out the window she threw both arms about the neck of the lad, who in turn threw his about her, just as the two always did when they met after a brief separation.
The fact of it was, Fred Sheldon was in love with his mother and always had been, and that sort of boy is sure to make his mark in this world.
A few minutes later the happy boy had entered the house and was sitting at the tea table, eating very little and talking very much.
The mother told him that his uncle had been dangerously ill, but had begun to mend that day, and was now believed to have passed the crisis of his fever, and would soon get well. She therefore expected to stay with her boy all the time.