60 The Brothers.

 

“No, it’s not from himself,” went on Mrs.
Baynes, as she read. “He got some one to
write for him. He was too ill to write him-
self.”

She finished the letter in silence, and then
sat holding it in her lap, thinking and looking
troubled. The boys gazed with a dozen ques-
tions in their eyes, till at last John could wait
no longer.

“What is it, aunt? Who's ill? What's
the matter?”

“My uncle, dear — your grandmother’s
brother—is very ill, and wants me to come
and see him. He lives twenty miles off, and
I was thinking how I could manage, and who
could take care of you and the house and all
if I went away for a few days.”

“Must you go, aunt?” asked Stephen in
rather an alarmed voice.

“TI think so, my dear. Besides, I wish to
go. Uncle John was always very kind to me,
and I should like to go to him if he wants
me. But you must be off to school now. We
can talk about it more when you come back.”

They went rather reluctantly, talking over
what they should do with their aunt away. -

“T know what she'll do,” said Johnnie, with
an air of superior wisdom. “She'll do as she