When he recovered himself he said-- "But how could gentle folks like you bear to see a hump-backed creature like me crawling about the place ?" "They would only enjoy it the more that you enjoyed it," said Willie.
It was all arranged.

As soon as Hector was able to be moved, he was carried up to the Ruins, and there nursed by everybody.

Nothing could exceed his comfort now but his gratitude.

He was soon able to work again, and as he was evidently happier when doing a little towards the general business, Mr Macmichael thought it best for him.
One day, Willie being at work in his laboratory, and getting himself half-stifled with a sudden fume of chlorine, opened the door for some air just as Hector had passed it.

He stood at the door and followed him down the walk with his eyes, watching him as he went--now disappearing behind the blossoms of an apple-tree, now climbing one of the little mounds, and now getting up into the elm-tree, and looking about him on all sides, his sickly face absolutely shining with pleasure.
"But," said Willie all at once to himself, "why should Hector be the only invalid to have this pleasure ?" He found no answer to the question.