Chapter VII: Conclusion: Bernard's Return to School

THERE was to be one day's rest after the party, and then Bernard was to go back to school. The boy was not unwilling to be at work again, but still he had a natural feeling of sadness hanging around him at the thought of leaving his good mother, Marian, and little pet Kate, and—though last, not lightly valued—dear Uncle Paul. His uncle saw the boy's regret in his face, and spoke in his usually cheery tone.

"Christmas will soon be here, Bernard, and time flies all the more quickly when we are fully employed, and have no leisure to indulge in useless wishes. If we had holidays all the year round, it would be as bad for us as feeding wholly on honey, or visiting the Wishing-Temple. You would have had little enjoyment during the vacation, if you had not first earned it by hard work."

"I do not feel sorry to go back to school, uncle," replied Bernard; "indeed, I am glad of the opportunity to do so. I am only sorry to say good-bye. And my dear mother and the girls will miss me all the more, too, from having had such a delightful time at Hay-Lodge. Our city-home is not like this place, though we have spent many happy days there."

"And have you not a thought for Uncle Paul's loneliness, Bernard? How will he feel when you are all gone?"

"Yes, indeed, Uncle Paul. But I hardly thought we could be of so much consequence to you as you are to us."

The boy's voice trembled, and Uncle Paul seemed to be troubled with a huskiness in his throat, for he did not speak very clearly for a minute or so.

"Then," he said, "I think I must keep Kate here. Will you stay with Uncle Paul, to bear him company, little one?"

"I should wish very much, but mamma will not like to part with me," said the child.

Uncle Paul looked quite disconsolate, but after a little while, a bright idea struck Kate. "Uncle," she said, "we will take you home with us, and you shall stay always." She clapped her hands in glee; but Uncle Paul thought perhaps it would be better to reverse matters.

"Supposing, mamma," he said, "that you, Marian, and Kate stay here instead. Bernard can go to school, and we will have a governess to help you to teach these girls. What say you? Can you love Uncle Paul well enough to stay and cheer his loneliness? Hay-Lodge is large enough, and more, Uncle Paul's heart is large enough too, to hold you all, and still keep a corner for Bernard when he comes home at Christmas."

The widowed mother felt all the goodness which prompted Uncle Paul's offer, and, unable to speak, she took the good old man's hand in both hers, and pressed it to her lips, while Kate clambered on his knee again, and fairly shouted with delight: "Dear, darling uncle, I am so glad I shall stay with you!"

Bernard went to school the next day in high spirits at the thought of leaving his mother and sisters so pleasantly situated. He had quite forgot what he had given up for the sake of buying a birthday-gift for Uncle Paul; but he was reminded of it by finding, after he reached school, a set of articles of the very best kind, and such as he had long wished for, in a snug corner of his trunk. He had no difficulty in guessing to whom he owed them.

As to Kate, she is every day twining herself more and more closely round Uncle Paul's heart, and so indeed are mamma and Marian. And Bernard is working very hard at school. He remembers what Uncle Paul said that he would not have enjoyed his rest so much if he had not first earned it by his steady industry.

So having done with Midsummer for the present, let us leave the children to their pleasant memories, and looking forward next to spending "Christmas at Hay-Lodge."

THE END.