Brothers

e came to Jim's room with a face as long as the catalogue of ships in the Iliad, and when the two boys present got up and left hurriedly

you, you could get you

awfully. A

nd sent it in. He got i

he big fellow. "I'm gla

is voice had a curious quaver in it-"and it'

d his curly head up

d heavily, "I thought Mark

seeing Mark's foot. "He

have made a great pl

. Footer's not

. I'll go now. I've got to tackle a nasty bit of ?schylus. You played up like fun to-day. I told the Doctor you came from our part of Slowshire. He said something in Greek which I couldn't make head or tail of; but I grinned, because I made certain it was complimentary. I say-don't be in too much of a hurry to get into th

ers of Pitt Hall had sought wives in Slowshire; but Mark's father went a-wooing in London and married a delicate creature of sensibility, refinement, and culture, the daughter of an eloquent and impecunious member of Parliament, a friend of Cobden and Bright, with some of Sheridan's wild blood in his veins, tempered, however, b

eyes seemed to pierce his heart, so poignant was the reflection that the mother's fine qualities of head and heart had been reproduced faithfully, and with them her infirmity of body. Then he blundered

s, "I wish you'd look and se

on now. I didn't run because I was playing to orders. Later, when I was lying flat on my back, with the wind squeezed out of me, you specially urged me to get up

, looking very funny, with his swollen foot in a footbath and a huge piece of sti

" he said; "if you're hungry, st

ospitable offer, an

w's name. By gad! I'm glad you came. No, hang the 'con'! I'll chance it. I want to have a yarn with you about the Kid. Awful-wasn't it? And Archie says he won't be allowed to play footer again. Old Archie has taken it hard. Not a bad chap, Archie, but a bit stodgy-like me. It's on my mind that I've had a hand in the

some big things to-day. The th

bber l

't mind telling you that Billy has his eye on

nce with the faith of a child;

have a go at it. Somehow, I couldn't tackle my tea. You'll have some

," placed there by the matron. Archibald tiptoed into the room, feeling rather uncomfor

on't c

has only a daughter, although, perhaps, that makes him extra nice to the sons of other people. He said that I was strong enough to know the truth. And the truth is that fo

small hunting-flask. Upon it was inscribed his name

qui meru

t, and the w-weak make the running for the strong; and it's no use messin' about and trying to do what others ca

boys, are not taught to express their gratitude in happy phrases, but perhaps it is none the less on that account. If the lady who played Strauss

developed his brother's strength: they took their "runs" slowly, but regularly. During these spring afternoons more than fresh air was imbibed. Mark had capacity for absorbing information about places and people. To him an ordinary cottage was a volume of romance; a man asleep by the roadside quickened

said Mark. "I'm as ug

o his eyes. "Them eyes of your'n are bits of heaven's o

urned

"Ah, you're a real beauty, but your bro

w he's my broth

Give me half a crown, and I'l

's worth?" said Arch

" said the girl, "and his," she

ook his hand between her long, slender

harsh voice, "w

e girl's grandmother, h

re the queen of the gipsies. Mother S

ooks for queens on thrones. The greatest queens, my pretty sir, don't sit

ned the girl. "You will get what you wa

ne," mumbled

" said Archie. "H

smoothed the palm with a touch that was not unlike a caress. A puzzled smile curled her red lip

oman's touch," sa

, mother," s

woman be

d hand, and the strong hand. Ah, but what is this? Sorrow, suffering, disappointment! And love," h

, taking Mark's hand again. "This

'tis,

r and a c

she had bent down and kissed it. Then

she said, eyeing Archie saucily