me it wasn t funny at all � it was poetry you re feeling better now aren t you dear oh yes and dried his eyes on her apron � don t you mind me i m only a little tired as you say i ll have my tea now he sat down to table and made such a brave show of being hungry that soon withdrew quite satisfied but when she had gone he ceased eating and went to his old seat in the window there to dream and muse he tried before the evening closed in to study some more of the subjects professor had left for his consideration but he could not � his head swam directly he bent over a printed page bo he gave up the attempt in despair he watched the sun sink and the stars come out and then went willingly enough to bed before he shut his little bed room window he heard an owl among the neighbouring woods and thought what a pitiful cry it uttered perhaps it is like me wondering why it was ever made he said to himself � and perhaps it thinks the as cruel as i do chapter ix tired out as he was sleep came reluctantly to s eyes that night there was an odd quick behind his brows which him for a long time and would not let him rest � it seemed to him like a little mill for ever turning and grinding out portions of facts which he had recently committed to memory � bits of history bits of grammar bits of bits of latin bits of greek � till he began to wonder how all the bits would piece themselves together and make a comprehensive ground work for further instruction by and by he found himself considering how very stupid it was of richard de lion to make so much fuss over the holy when now there were so many clever men alive who were all agreed that christ was a and that there never was any holy at all what a very dense king was richard � what a brave � with his perpetual oath par le de while all the time if he had only known it the was just a mechanical thing with no de about it and oh what a wicked waste of life there had been � what terrific for the faith � merely to end in an age which was prepared to deny and utterly condemn all spiritual and supernatural whatsoever gradually and by gentle degrees de lion and the de and the and with bits of facts and bits of professor s features curiously joined on to the dreadful of the silly man of the village got all together in confusion and the little tiresome mill in his head turned slower and slower and presently ceased to grind � and he fell into a profound slumber � the deep trance of utter exhaustion so dead asleep was he that a voice calling only reached his consciousness at last as though it were a faint far oflf sound in a dream � and not till the call had been repeated many times did he start up rubbing his heavy eyelids and gazing in speechless alarm at a mysterious figure bending over his bed the room was dark save for the moonlight that struck one wide beam across the floor and he could not for a moment imagine what strange and thus roused him from his rest but before he had time to think the figure s arms were round him and its voice murmured tenderly have i frightened you poor boy � poor baby don t you know me mother and in his sudden surprise and joy he sprang up half out of bed to return her embrace how good of you to come and see me � and you haven t even taken your hat and cloak did tell you i wanted to wait up for you no � didn t tell me � answered mrs drawing him more closely to her breast poor child how thin you are such a little bag o bones you mustn t catch cold � curl yourself under my cloak so there now i want you to be very quiet and listen to me attentively will you yes mother under the warm cloak with her arms round him was in a state of perfect happiness � this unexpected visit seemed too good to be true he was secretly astonished but entirely glad � he had never dreamed of the possibility of so much consolation and delight you feel so small said his mother then with a tremulous laugh � in your little you seem just a mere bundle of a baby � the very same sort of bundle i used to carry about and be so proud of you were a baby once you know closer and kissed her soft hand yes mother i suppose i was well now she went on speaking rapidly and in low tones � you must try and understand all i say to you i am going away dear � for a time on a visit with a friend who wishes to make me happy i m not very happy just at present neither are you i you see your father is clever and good � and her voice here rang with a delicate of mockery � and � very naturally � he does not care much for people who are not equally clever and good � so it makes it to get on with him sometimes he does not like me to sing and dance and amuse myself any more than he likes you to play games with other boys you are too young to go about by yourself and have a good time yet � but by you will grow up and you will know what a good time means you 