'When shall we three meet again?' at length said Charles, in a would-be lively tone.
'And where?' said Amy.
'Here,' said Charles; 'you will come here to tell your adventures, and take up Bustle.'
'I hope so,' said Guy. 'We could not help it. The telling you about it will be a treat to look forward to all the time.'
'Yes; your sight-seeing is a public benefit. You have seen many a thing for me.'
'That is the pleasure of seeing and hearing, the thing that is not fleeting,' said Guy.
'The unselfish part, you mean,' said Charles; and mused again, till Guy, starting up, exclaimed-'There are the people!' as a carriage came in view in the lane. 'Shall I wheel you home, Charlie?'
'Yes, do.'
Guy leant over the back, and pushed him along; and as he did so murmured in a low tremulous tone, 'Wherever or whenever we may be destined to meet, Charlie, or if never again, I must thank you for a great part of my happiness here--for a great deal of kindness and sympathy.'
Charles looked straight before him, and answered--'The kindness was all on your part. I had nothing to give in return but ill-temper and exactions. But, Guy, you must not think I have not felt all you have done for me. You have made a new man of me, instead of a wretched stick, laughing at my misery, to persuade myself and others that I did not feel it. I hope you are proud of it.'
'As if I had anything to do with it!'
'Hadn't, you, that's all! I know what you won't deny, at any rate--what a capital man-of-all-work you have been to me, when I had no right to ask it, as now we have,' he added, smiling, because Amy was looking at him, but not making a very successful matter of the smile. 'When you come back, you'll see me treat you as indeed "a man and a brother."'
This talk retarded them a little, and they did not reach the house till the guests were arriving. The first sight that met the eyes of Aunt Charlotte and Lady Eveleen as they entered, was, in the frame of the open window, Guy's light agile figure, assisting Charles up the step, his brilliant hazel eyes and glowing healthy complexion contrasting with Charles's pale, fair, delicate face, and features sharpened and refined by suffering. Amy, her deep blushes and downcast eyes almost hidden by her glossy curls, stood just behind, carrying her brother's crutch.