"Well, it is as good as accomplished. Only let it be between ourselves. No one is to know who the donor is."
"Agreed."
"It is to be our little secret, Mr. Dawson; and, after all, I think one may just as well do good with one's money while alive as after death."
"It certainly is more satisfactory. How about the man-o'-war ship, then?"
"Ah! that is another subject I hope to discuss with you one day. Perhaps—but—well, the matter needs further consideration, so for the present we shall dismiss it."
* * * * *
Jack stayed all the summer at Drumglen; but when the autumn came round, his grandmother, one evening as they sat by the fire, opened the conversation by saying,—
"My dear boy, your tutor, Mr. Newington, tells me you have been working very hard, and made capital progress in your studies; so I am going to send you home for six whole weeks to your mother and sister, at the Cottage Hospital. I hear there has been a new wing built to it, and a little house and garden for the matron, and that your mother has been appointed to that position. Well, dear boy, write and tell them you are coming; and I'll give you an envelope with something in it, so that you can pay your way, and be quite the little gentleman."
Jack took her hand in the old caressing way; but he did even more—he drew her arm right round his neck and nestled more closely up to her knee.
"Dear grandma," he said, "you are so good to me."