I was quite sure they had stopped thinking that he was going to lose his soul, but they couldn't help feeling so long as that old mystery hung over Pryors that he might get into trouble through it.

Father said if it hadn't been for Mr.Pryor's stubborn and perverted notions about God, he would like the man immensely, and love to be friends; and if Laddie married into the family we would have to be as friendly as we could anyway.

He said he had such a high opinion of Mr.Pryor's integrity that he didn't believe he'd encourage Laddie to enter his family if it would involve the boy in serious trouble.

Mother didn't know.

Anyway, the thing was done, and by fall, no doubt, Laddie would leave us.
Just when we were trying to keep a stiff upper lip before him, and whistling as hard as ever he had, to brace our courage, a letter came for mother from the head of the music school Shelley attended, saying she was no longer fit for work, so she was being sent home at once, and they would advise us to consult a specialist immediately.