"Yes, I have never quite given up the hope of going home again; but we
should find sad changes, I doubt."
"But I mean I should like to go home soon. Not for the sake of Clayton
and our friends there. I would like to go to fit myself better for the
work I have to do in the world."
"You mean, you would like to go home to study."
"Yes. One must have a far better opportunity there, and it is a grand
thing to be `thoroughly furnished'." There was a pause, and then he
added, "If I go, I ought to go soon--within a year or two, I mean."
"Oh, Will, how could I ever let you go away?"
"Why, Graeme! that is not at all like you; you could let me go if it
were right. But I have not quite decided that it is not selfish in me
to wish to go."
"But why?" asked Graeme.
"Partly because it would be so pleasant. Don't you remember how Janet
used to say, we are not so likely to see all sides of what we desire
very much. Perhaps I desire it more for the pleasure it would give me,
than for the benefit it might be to me. And then the expense. It would
be too much to expect from Arthur."
"But there is the Merleville money. It was meant for Arthur's
education, and as he did not need it, it is yours."
"No, that belongs to you and Rose. It would not be right to take that."
"Nonsense, Will. What is ours is yours; if the expense were all! But I
cannot bear to think of you going away, and Harry, too, perhaps."
"Rose tells me that Harry is more bent on going West than ever."
"Yes, within a few days he has become quite eager about it. I cannot
understand why he should be so. Oh, I cannot feel hopeful about it."
"Arthur thinks it may be a good thing for Harry," said Will.
"Yes, for some things I suppose so. But, oh! Will, I could not let
Harry go as I could let you, sure that he would be kept safe till--"
Graeme laid her head down on her brother's pillow, and the tears she had
been struggling with for so long a time burst forth. She had never
spoken to Will of her fears for Harry, but he knew that they all had had
cause for anxiety on his account, so instead of speaking he laid his arm
over his sister's neck. She struggled with herself a moment, unable to
speak.
"Graeme," said Will, softly, "we cannot keep Harry safe from evil, and
He who can is able to keep him safe there as well as here."
"I know it; I say it to myself twenty times a day. That is, I say it in
words; but I do not seem to get the comfort I might from them."
"But, Graeme, Harry has been very little away this winter, and I had
thought--"
"I know, dear, and I have been quite hopeful about him till lately.
But, oh, Will! it won't bear talking about. We can only wait
patiently."
"Yes, Graeme, we can pray and trust, and you are exaggerating to
yourself Harry's danger, I think. What has happened to make you so
faint-hearted, dear?"
"What should have happened, Will? I am tired--for one thing--and
something is wrong I know."
She paused to struggle with her tears.
"Somehow, I don't feel so anxious about Harry as you do, Graeme. He
will come back again. I am sure this great sorrow is not waiting you."