Billy had opened his eyes, and was looking about him. He had done so once or twice before, but always in a vacant, stupid sort of way. Now, to our intense joy, there was a glimmer of something like the old life in his pale face, especially when, catching sight of Jack, who sprang to his side in a moment, his features broke into a faint smile.
My uncle came quietly to me across the room.
“I’ll go now,” said he—more kindly than I had ever heard him speak. “I shall stay in town to-night, and will look in in the morning;” and so saying he went.
Mr Smith and I accompanied him to the door. As we were returning up the stairs some one called after us. I turned, and saw that the new-comer was Billy’s mother.
Chapter Thirty Four.
How I got rid of the Petty-Cash, and of Mr Smith’s Secret.
Billy’s mother was, for the first time in my experience, sober. I stayed behind for her on the stairs, while Mr Smith retired to his own room, saying he would come up and see us all in the morning. I wished he would have stayed and countenanced me in my interview with the unhappy woman.
“What’s all this, mister?” she said, as she came up.