The life limited his freedom, for, for a great part of the day he was with his mother, and between his music and his attendance on her, he had but little leisure.

Occasionally he went out to see his friends, but any prolonged absence on his part always made her uneasy, and he would often find her, on his return, sitting in the hall, waiting for him, so as to enjoy his presence from the first moment that he re-entered the house.

But though he found no food for reflection in himself, Aunt Barbara, who came to see them some few days after Michael had been installed here, found a good deal.
They had all had tea together, and afterwards Lady Ashbridge's nurse had come down to fetch her upstairs to rest.

And then Aunt Barbara surprised Michael, for she came across the room to him, with her kind eyes full of tears, and kissed him.
"My dear, I must say it once," she said, "and then you will know that it is always in my mind.

You have behaved nobly, Michael; it's a big word, but I know no other.