"Not quite so hopeless as at first," and the reasons for having been kept so long were detailed, with many circumstances of the youth's illness, and the parents' resignation, by which Dr.May was still too deeply touched to have room in his mind for anything besides.
They were more than half-way home, and a silence had succeeded the conversation about the Lake family, when Norman spoke: "Papa, I have been thinking about it, and I believe it would be better to let it alone, if you please." "Not apply to Dr.Hoxton!" exclaimed his father.
"Well, I think not.

I have been considering it, and it does hardly seem to me the right thing.

You see, if I had not you close at hand, this could never be explained, and it seems rather hard upon Anderson, who has no father, and the other fellows, who have theirs farther off--" "Right, Norman, that is what my father before me always said, and the way I have always acted myself; much better let a few trifles go on not just as one would wish, than be for ever interfering.

But I really think this is a case for it, and I don't think you ought to let yourself be influenced by the fear of any party-spirit." "It is not only that, papa--I have been thinking a good deal to-day, and there are other reasons.

Of course I should wish Dr.Hoxton to know that I spoke the truth about that walk, and I hope you will let him know, as I appealed to you.