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had brought to her。
Ethel used to watch them； and think how beautiful their countenances
were； and talk them over with her father； who was quite happy about
them now。 She gave assistance； which Alan never once called unhandy；
to all his contrivances； and often floundered in upon his conferences
with Margaret； in a way that would have been very provoking； if she
had not always blushed and looked so excessively discomfited； and
they had only to laugh and reassure her。
Alan was struck by finding that the casual words spoken on the way
from Cocksmoor had been so strenuously acted on； and he brought on
himself a whole torrent of Ethel's confused narratives； which Richard
and Flora would fain have checked； but Margaret let them continue； as
she saw him a willing listener； and was grateful to him for
comprehending the ardent girl。
He declared himself to have a share in the matter； reminding Ethel of
her appeal to him to bind himself to the service of Cocksmoor。 He
sent a sovereign at once； to aid in a case of the sudden death of a
pig； and when securely established in his brotherly right； he begged
Ethel to let him know what would help her most。 She stood colouring；
twisting her hands； and wondering what to say； whereupon he relieved
her by a proposal to leave an order for ten pounds； to be yearly paid
into her hands； as a fixed income for her school。
A thousand a year could hardly have been so much to Ethel。 〃Thank
you！ Oh； this is charming！ We could set up a regular school！
Cherry Elwood is the very woman！ Alan； you have made our fortune！
Oh； Margaret； Margaret！ I must go and tell Ritchie and Mary！ This
is the first real step to our church and all！〃
〃May I do it？〃 said Alan； turning to Margaret； as Ethel frantically
burst out of the room； 〃perhaps I should have asked leave？〃
〃I was going to thank you；〃 said Margaret。 〃It is the very kindest
thing you could have done by dear Ethel！ the greatest comfort to us。
She will be at peace now； when anything hinders her from going to
Cocksmoor。〃
〃I wonder；〃 said Alan； musing； 〃whether we shall ever be able to help
her more substantially。 I cannot do anything hastily； for you know
Maplewood is still in the hands of the executors； and I cannot tell
what claims there may be upon me； but by…and…by； when I return； if I
find no other pressing duty； might not a church at Cocksmoor be a
thankoffering for all I have found here？〃
〃Oh； Alan； what joy it would be！〃
〃It is a long way off；〃 he said sadly； 〃and perhaps her force of
perseverance will have prevailed alone。〃
〃I suppose I must not tell her； even as a vision。〃
〃It is too uncertain； I do not know the wants of the Maplewood
people； and I must provide for Hector。 I would not let these vague
dreams interfere with her resolute work； but； Margaret； what a vision
it is！ I can see you laying the first stone on that fine heathy
brow。〃
〃Oh； your godchild should lay the first stone！〃
〃She shall； and you shall lead her。 And there shall be Ethel's sharp
face full of indescribable things as she marshals her children； and
Richard shall be curate； and read in his steady soft tone； and your
father shall look sunny with his boys around him； and you〃
〃Oh； Alan；〃 said Margaret； who had been listening with a smile； 〃it
is； indeed； a long way off！〃
〃I shall look to it as the haven where I would be；〃 said the sailor。
They often spoke together of this scheme； ever decking it in brighter
colours。 The topic seemed to suit them better than their own future；
for there was no dwelling on that without an occasional misgiving；
and the more glad the anticipation； the deeper the sigh that followed
on Margaret's part； till Mr。 Ernescliffe followed her lead； and they
seldom spoke of these uncertainties； but outwardly smiled over the
present； inwardly dwelt on the truly certain hopes。 There were
readings shared together； made more precious than all； by the
conversations that ensued。
The hour for parting came at last。 Ethel never knew what passed in
the drawing…room； whence every one was carefully excluded。 Dr。 May
wandered about； keeping guard over the door； and watching the clock；
till； at the last moment； he knocked； and called in a trembling
voice； 〃Ernescliffe！ Alan！ it is past the quarter！ You must not
stay！〃
The other farewells were hurried； Alan seemed voiceless； only nodding
in reply to Mary's vociferous messages to Harry； and huskily
whispering to Ethel； 〃Good luck to Cocksmoor！〃
The next moment the door had shut on him； and Dr。 May and Flora had
gone to her sister； whom she found not tearful； but begging to be
left alone。
When they saw her again； she was cheerful； she kept up her composure
and animation without flagging； nor did she discontinue her new
exertions； but seemed decidedly the happier for all that had passed。
Letters came every day for her； and presents to every one。 Ethel had
a gold chain and eyeglass； which； it was hoped； might cure her of
frowning and stooping； though her various ways of dangling her new
possession caused her to be so much teased by Flora and Norman； that；
but for regard to Margaret's feelings； she would not have worn it for
three days。
To Mary was sent a daguerreotype of Harry； her glory and delight。
Say； who would； that it had pig's eyes； a savage frown； a pudding
chin； there were his own tight rings of hair； his gold…banded cap；
his bright buttons； how could she prize it enough？ She exhibited it
to the little ones ten times a day； she kissed it night and morning；
and registered her vow always to sleep with it under her 〃pilow；〃 in
a letter of thanks； which Margaret defended and despatched； in spite
of Miss Winter's horrors at its disregard of orthography。
It was nearly the last letter before the Alcestis was heard of at
Spithead。 Then she sailed； she sent in her letters to Plymouth； and
her final greetings by a Falmouth cutterpoor Harry's wild scrawl in
pencil looking very sea…sick。
〃Dear papa and all； good…bye。 We are out of sight of land。 Three
years； and keep up a good heart。 I shall soon be all right。
〃Your H。 MAY。〃
It was enclosed in Mr。 Ernescliffe's envelope； and with it came
tidings that Harry's brave spirit was not failing； even under
untoward circumstances； but he had struggled on deck； and tried to
write； when all his contemporaries had given in； in fact； he was a
fine fellowevery one liked him； and Captain Gordon； though chary of
commendation； had held him up to the other youngsters as an example
of knowing what a sailor was meant to be like。
Margaret smiled； and cried over the news when she imparted itbut
all serenelyand though she was glad to be alone； and wrote journals
for Alan； when she could not send letters； she exerted herself to be
the same sister as usual to the rest of the household； and not to
give way to her wandering musings。
From one subject her attention never strayed。 Ethel had never found
any lack of sympathy in her for her Cocksmoor pursuits； but the
change now showed that； where once Margaret had been interested
merely as a kind sister； she now had a personal concern； and