Miles and I have got the bed ready, and the sooner we get the poor man undressed and comfortable, the better it will be for him." "Thank you!" said Katherine, then shivered again as she recalled the Yankee's words about keeping the stranger from the power of Oily Dave.
Jervis Ferrars looked at her keenly, noting the shiver and the trouble in her eyes; then he said abruptly: "What is the matter?
Do you feel ill, or is it something fresh ?" For a moment Katherine hesitated, but he would have to be told, she knew, so she said hastily: "It is something that--that you must know.

I will tell you presently when I get a chance." "Very well," he replied briefly, then hobbled on into the kitchen, and for the next hour was occupied in doing his utmost for the sick man.
Katherine was left a moment alone with Mrs.Burton, after 'Duke Radford had been carried to his bed, and she said hastily: "Nellie, would you mind if Mr.Ferrars stayed here for a few days until his feet are better?
We are crowded, I know; but either he or the boys could sleep in the loft now it is warmer, and Oily Dave's house is impossible until the flood is down." "I should say it is impossible at any time," replied Mrs.Burton, "and I shall be only too thankful if he will stay for a while because of poor father.

Oh, Katherine, I am afraid this long terrible winter has killed him'" she said, with a quiver of breakdown in her voice.
"It is not the winter.

Why, he has scarcely been out at all, so he cannot have suffered from that," Katherine answered sadly.

She knew only too well why her father had broken down again, only the worst of it was she could not tell anyone, but must hide the knowledge within her own heart, because it involved her father's honour.
"I have seen him failing for so long, only yesterday and to-day he seemed better," Mrs.Burton went on; "and he was sitting quite comfortably by the stove, not talking very much, but looking thoroughly contented, when he suddenly pitched out of his chair and lay like a log on the floor." "Will you ask Mr.Ferrars to stay with us, or shall I ?" said Katherine.
"I will if you like.