Nothing, however, was said, and soon after breakfast the doctor went off with Bob Chowne.
As soon as we were alone my father began to walk up and down the room in a very anxious manner, and once or twice he turned towards me as if about to speak, but he checked himself and went on with his walk.
At last the silence became so irksome that I took upon myself to speak first.
“Are you going over to the mine, father?” I said.
“Yes, my boy,” he replied. “But you had better go and lie down for an hour or two.”
“Oh, no, father,” I said. “I’m not tired. Let me go with you.”
He nodded, and then stood thoughtful, and tapping the ground with his foot.
All at once he seemed to have made up his mind.
“Look here, Sep,” he said; “you are growing a great fellow now. I’ve been helping you all these years; now you must help me.”
“Tell me how, father, and I will,” I said eagerly.