The frame was so frail and weak and helpless; but the indomitable spirit seemed as though it would be able to bear its master through any and every peril which duty might bid him face.
They had consented to be his guests for a few days; but it had not occurred to them that this visit would be prolonged to any great length, and yet thus it came about.
Colonel Wolfe and his wife, the mother of whom the young soldier often spoke in tender and loving terms, were detained from rejoining their son, as they had purposed doing before the winter came.

Colonel Wolfe had a property of his own in Kent, and his presence was wanted there.

The son was compelled to remain in the neighbourhood of Bath for the sake of his shattered health.

They had intended all spending the winter there together in the pleasant house they had taken; but this soon became impossible, and it was then that Wolfe said to his new friends, with that quaint look of appeal in his eyes which they had come to know by this time: "Could you two be persuaded to take pity upon a capricious and whimsical sick man, and be his companions through the winter months?
Then with the spring, when we know what is to be done for the succour of our comrades in the West, we will make shift to go forth to their assistance.

If you will stay with me till then, I will promise you shall not lack fitting equipment to follow the army when it sails hence." There was nothing the two companions desired more by that time than to remain with Wolfe, the charm of whose personality had by that time quite fascinated them.