"It's a time-table," she replied. "It is settled that I am to teach Lancie, and Giles, and Olive, and Lottie. Then there are my own studies and countless other things. I shall be busy all day long. You see, Robert—"
"Yes?" he said, for Dora had stopped short.
"I am determined to fufil dear father's trust, and the more I relieve mother, the better I shall be doing it."
"And what about the promise?" Robert asked. But he did not put the question without difficulty.
"Oh! I mean to do great things this year," returned Dora, eagerly and confidently. "Mother and I have been having a lovely talk, and I shall set to work so that I may have a good account to give father. Why, Robert," as her eye for the first time fell upon his face; "you are shivering, and you look so pale. You had better go to bed, and leave me to finish this."
He moved away, but before he had reached the door, turned and came back.
"Dora," he said, in a low voice, "I wonder whether father is thinking about us all now?"
She was just in the act of dipping her pen in the ink to continue her work, but at Robert's question, she leaned back in her chair, and answered slowly,—
"Yes, I am sure he is. He is thinking—"
"Well, go on. You are dreaming again, I know that by the look in your eyes. What is he thinking about?"