"You may have forgotten it, sir, but only the other day you spoke of wanting to go away for a long stay, and the little unpleasantness at your club and the police court—"
"I see, I see, you don't forget things. You put two and two together," Charles interrupted. "What is that?"
It was a child's startled scream from Mrs. Browne's room, followed by the assuring tones of the mother.
"It is Ruth," Michael explained. "She screams out like that now and then when she is dreaming."
"I wish I could see the little thing," Charles seemed to be speaking to himself now. "They are a beautiful pair—that mother and child. Ah, and they have been sweet and good to me!"
"Now, I am afraid, sir. Indeed, I am," Michael said, with feeling.
"Afraid of what, Mike?"
"I am afraid it is not Springfield you are going to, sir."
"Ah, you are suspicious!" Charles said, in ill-assumed lightness.
"I haven't known you from boyhood up for nothing, sir," Mike said, with emotion. "Ever since your talk Sunday I have been afraid you'd leave."