Our Gentleman Boarder 



India and put things straight and come 

 back as quickly as I can and claim you in 

 spite of every one ; and if by any unhappy 

 chance I have to live out there, you will 

 come with me, will you not, Mary ? " 



" I fear that does not end our difficul- 

 ties," said Mary, with a litde smile, but her 

 bright eyes had no smile in them. "I have 

 told you I could not live far away from my 

 parents. That is quite certain, you see." 



'' But, Mary," he said, rather impatiently, 

 '' surely Esther can look after them ! " 



"Esther? She would, I know, but she 

 is going to be married before very long ; 

 besides, she is not hearty and strong like I 

 am — indeed, I sometimes fear she is very, 

 very delicate. " Oh," she added, desper- 

 ately, while the tears welled up in her eyes, 

 *' you nmst see how they need me at times. 

 You must see it — every one who lives here 

 must see it. I hope you will understand it 

 — will try to understand how things are 

 with me." 



The tone of Mary's voice startled me 

 out of my " Robinson Crusoe ; " I knew she 

 was dreadfully unhappy, and that made me 

 feel very dismal. I remember many things 

 that she said, though I cannot truly give 

 his replies. I was only thinking of her. 



" I was going on day by day contented 

 130 



