Billy took the photograph and kissed it.
“God bless you!” he said.
Davie pricked up his ears.
“You’re not in love with her?” Matthew asked, lightly, with a sudden apprehension.
“I?—I know better than to be in love with any woman,” said Billy, sadly, as he returned the portrait. “Only in my stories can I love and be loved.”
“It was she who sent us that mysterious money,” said Matthew, and told him the story. Billy listened in surprise and emotion.
“God bless you, Ruth!” he said again.
“What is that God?” interrupted Davie.
The brothers looked at each other, embarrassed.
“Ask mummy; she’ll tell you,” said Matthew, at last.