Instead of replying the girl ran to meet him, and in another moment uncle and niece were in each other's arms.
"Oh, Uncle Mark!" was all Gertrude could say.
"My dear Gertrude," murmured the feeble man, "I am so thankful you have come back to me! I was cruel, nay crazy—but I will never be so again. Will you forgive me?"
"Willingly, uncle," she answered. "You were not yourself; it was your sickness made you act so. Now I will nurse you back to health and strength."
"Ah! Gertrude! I do not feel as if I can get back my strength again. I am too far gone," murmured the retired merchant.
"Rest yourself, uncle." And she led him to a chair. "After a while I want to have a long talk with you. But tell me first, have you been taking any wine lately—I mean the wine Homer Bulson gave you?"
"A little. But I do not like it—although he almost forces me to take it. Why do you ask?"
"If you will hear me out, I will tell you. It is a long story."
"I will listen to every word, Gertrude."