52 WITH KITCHENER IN THE SOUDAN lish newspaper, and even had his death been advertised in one of the papers I should hardly have noticed it, as I never did more than just glance at the principal items of news. In my desk you will also see my bank-book. It is in your name ; I have thought it better that it should stand so, as it will save a great deal of trouble should anything happen to me.

Happily, I have never had any reasons to draw upon it, and there are now about five hundred and fifty pounds standing to your credit. Of late you have generally paid in the money, and you are personally known to the manager. Should there be any difiiculty, I have made a will leaving everything to you. That sum will keep you, if you canijot obtain the employment we speak of, until you come of age, and will at any rate facilitate your getting employment with the army, as you will not be obliged to demand much pay, and can take anything that offers.

Another reason for your going to England is that your grandfather may, if he is dead, have relented at last towards your father, and may have left him some share in his fortune ; and although you might well refuse to accept any help from him if he is alive, you can have no hesitation in taking that which should be yours by right. I think sometimes now, my boy, that I have been wrong in not accepting the fact of your father’s death as proved, and taking you home to England, but you will believe that I acted for the best, and I shrank from the thought of going home as a beggar while I could maintain you and myself comfortably here.”

“ You were quite right. Mother dear. We have been very happy, and I have been looking forward to the time when I might work for you as you have worked for me. It has been a thousand times better so than livipg on the charity of a man who looked down upon you, and who cast off my father.”

Well, you will believe at least that I acted for the best, dear, and I am not sure that it has not been for the best. At any rate I, too, have been far happier than I could have