"Oh, never fear for me, Paul, my son!" she replied. "I shall be all right."
"I do not like the idea of your being alone, though," said Paul. "And I shall have to be away from Brunford a great deal when Parliament meets. I think I shall have to take you to London with me!"
"No," she replied. "I would rather stay here. I should only be in your way if I went to London, besides increasing your expenses—and that I must not do."
"Why not, mother? I can afford it very well. We're having a specially good run of luck just now, and the extra expense would not bother me at all. Besides, I want you to be near me!"
"No, Paul. I would rather remain in Brunford. I have my work to do."
"Your work, mother! What do you mean?"
She did not reply, and Paul could not understand the look on her face.
"Tell me, mother," he said, "what do you mean by having your work to do?"
"There's only one work for me now, Paul—only one thing I care about—and that is to give you your rightful name, and to make you happy!"
"I have thought lately he's dead," said Paul.