A fire partly of peat, partly of tan, burned on the little hearth.
Cosmo opened his eyes, and saw those of his father looking down upon him.

He stretched out his arms, and drew the aged head upon his bosom.

His heart was too full to speak.
"How do you find yourself, my boy ?" said the father, gently releasing himself.

"I know all about it; you need not trouble yourself to tell me more than just how you are." "Better, father, much better," answered Cosmo.

"But there is one thing I must tell you.