Hullo, here's mother!" The boys ran forward to greet Mrs Cruden, who, pale but smiling, came quietly down the garden towards them, and after a fond embrace laid her hands on the arm of each and walked slowly on between them.
"You two brave boys," said she, and there was a cheery ring in her voice that sent comfort into the hearts of both her sons, "how sorry I am to think of all you have had to go through, while I, like a silly weak woman, have been lying in bed." "Oh, mother," said Horace, with a face that reflected already the sunshine of hers, "how absurd to talk like that! I don't believe you ought to be out here now." "Oh yes, I ought.

I've done with that, and I am strong enough now to stand beside the boys who have stood so bravely by their mother." "We'd be a nice pair of boys if we didn't, eh, Reg ?" said Horace.
Reginald's reply was a pressure of his mother's hand, and with a rainbow of smiles over their sorrowful hearts the three walked on lovingly together; the mother with many a brave, cheery word striving to lift her sons above their trouble, not only to hope of earthly comfort, but to trust in that great Father of the fatherless, beside whom all the love of this world is poor and fleeting.
At length they turned to go in, and Mrs Cruden said,-- "There is a letter from Mr Richmond, the lawyer, saying he will call this evening to talk over some business matters.

I suppose he will be here by now." "Couldn't he have waited till after to-morrow ?" said Horace.
"He particularly asked to come to-night," said the mother.

"At any rate, I would like you both to be with me while he is here.

We must not have any secrets from one another now." "I suppose it's about the will or the estate," said Reginald.
"I suppose so.