"Yes; I never thought to be rid of the giant, Pain; but God has been very merciful to me."
"Oh, Guy, I wish your mother had lived to hear you say that!" Mr. Renford exclaimed involuntarily.
His son made no answer, but a look of deep regret settled on his face.
It was Felicia who, by-and-by, broke the silence by asking: "Were you comfortable at the nursing-home, Uncle Guy?"
"Very. Everyone was kind and considerate to me, and the other patients—ah! Felicia, many of them were greater sufferers than I have ever been!"
The Vicar and his wife spent an hour at the Priory during the evening; and the next day Doris and Molly came to visit their uncle. Everyone was surprised to see how greatly Mr. Guy had altered in appearance for the better; and not only did he look stronger and healthier, but as Molly remarked in confidence to her, sister, he appeared so much better tempered, too, and was so genuinely glad to see them all again.
Soon after her uncle's return to the Priory, Felicia had an unexpected treat. Her grandfather, who had business to transact in Bristol, took her with him, and allowed her to spend the afternoon with Mrs. M'Cosh. The good woman had just finished cleaning up the kitchen after the mid-day meal, when there came a knock at the door, and on opening it, Felicia, literally sobbing with excitement and joy, sprang into her arms.
"Why, my dear, my dear!" exclaimed Mrs. M'Cosh, her broad, red face deepening in hue. "How did you get here? I hope nothing is amiss."
"No, no. Grandfather brought me, and he's coming for me this evening," Felicia explained. "Oh, how glad I am to see you! How is Mr. M'Cosh?"
"Very well; and proud and pleased he'll be to come home and find you here, my dear child. Let me look at you. Why, how you've grown, and you've such a pretty colour, and you look quite the lady, that you do. My, what a world this is with its ups and downs! To think of your living in a grand house, with servants to wait on you, and plenty of everything!"