'
'Do you imagine that it dwells much upon his mind?'
'Not when he is well--not when it would do him good,' said Albinia;
'it rather haunts him the instant he is unwell.'
'He makes it a superstition, then, poor boy! You thought me hard on
him, Albinia; but really I could not help being angry with him for so
lamentably frightening his father and you.'
'Let us see how he is before you find fault with him,' said Albinia.
'You're as bad as if you were his mother, or worse!' exclaimed
Maurice.
'Oh! Maurice, I can't help it! He had no one to care for him till I
came, and he is such a very dear fellow--he wants me so much!'
Mr. Ferrars agreed to go with Mr. Kendal to Traversham. He thought
his father would be encouraged by his presence, and he was not devoid
of curiosity. Albinia would not hear of staying at home; in fact,
Maurice suspected her of being afraid to trust Gilbert to his mercy.
With a trembling heart she left the train at the little Traversham
station, making resolutions neither to be too angry with the
negligent tutor, nor to show Gilbert how much importance she attached
to his illness.
As they walked into the village, they heard a merry clamour of
tongue, and presently met five or six boys, and, a few paces behind
them, Mr. Downton.
'Ah!' he exclaimed, 'I am glad you are come. I would have written
yesterday, but that I found your boy had done so. I shall be very
glad to have him cheered up about himself.
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