So it happened that Dora spent such a delightful six weeks at the seaside as she had before only imagined to herself in dreams. At first she could do little more than admire the beautiful view of hill, sea, and sky from the windows of their lodgings. But she grew daily stronger, and even the news that she had failed in her examination did not check her improvement. It was just what she might have expected, and certainly what she deserved, she remarked quietly. When at length she went back home, she looked so different that at first glance Phil actually didn't know her.
How rejoiced they all were to see her! The love which she saw in every caress, and smile, and action of her mother and brothers and sisters seemed to Dora, as it most certainly was, her most precious possession. Her return reminded them of another return, which, all being well, would take place in the winter. It was September now, and in the dusky half-hour after tea, when all were present, there was a long talk about that happy time.
From the future they came back to the present. Their father's trust, their promise, and the way in which each had been fulfilled were discussed. They all spoke very openly and freely that evening. Each owned where he or she had failed, and each resolved that the weakness should be guarded against and struggled with for the future. Even Olive and Lottie wont to bed serious and thoughtful, for they could not forgot the words so gravely uttered by their mother: "Even a child is known by his doings."
[CHAPTER XI.]
REUNITED.
THE remainder of that year saw a steady, persevering effort on the part of all to walk in the path of duty, and be loving, sympathetic, and unselfish one towards the other. It might well give their mother joy to witness the good seed taking root and springing up in her children's hearts, and she prayed daily that they and her husband might all be spared so that the beginning of another year might find them once more a united and happy family.
Not the least of her mercies did she reckon Dora's restoration to health. On returning home she cheerfully obeyed the doctor's directions, and being careful not to overtax her strength, and only to resume her duties as she felt fully able to discharge them, her recovery was more rapid than her mother had dared to hope.
And Lancie, though he would always be delicate and never have the use of his poor withered limb, was better than he had been for years. Then it was found that he possessed great ability for drawing, and in the little cripple's heart there had sprung up a hope that, if he studied patiently and perseveringly, he might eventually earn his living as an artist. Other men, with weaker and more deformed bodies than his, had done it, and why not he? This hope, which he kept locked in his own heart, was a source of happiness to Lancie, and took away much that had helped to make him joyless and gloomy.
So time passed on. The Christmas holidays came and went; lessons at home and at school were again begun; and in a few days the ship in which Mr. Grainger had left Sydney was expected to arrive at Southampton.