Kitty looked and felt very much ashamed.  “I hadn’t thought of that,” she said; “but, father, it is really very hard to bear.  You don’t know how miserable I feel.”

“How will you bear greater troubles when they come, as they are sure to?”

“There couldn’t be greater ones,” said foolish Kitty.

“My dear, my dear, don’t say such things.  This is, after all, but a short temporary parting, when we could all come together if needs be.  There are some that last a lifetime,” he added sadly, and Kitty knew he was thinking of her dead mother.  A few moments later he spoke more cheerfully.  “I am going up with you to-morrow,” he said.  “Perhaps that will comfort you a little.”

Kitty looked delighted, but Dr. Trenire did not tell her that when he had left her at her school he was going to consult a doctor about his own health; for he intended to let no one know that he was bound on such an errand until he had heard the verdict, and only then if it was absolutely necessary.

However, the consultation proved that it was absolutely necessary, and a few days later the following letter reached Kitty:—­

“My Dearest Kitty,—­I have to send you some news which is not good, but you must not think it very bad.  A few days ago I was told by a medical man that I must take a long holiday and a sea voyage as soon as possible, and he dared me to stay away less than three months.  I am obeying him because I want to feel stronger than I have lately, and I do not believe in asking a clever man’s advice and then refusing to act upon it.  So I am getting a locum tenens here for a time, and as soon as I have introduced him to my patients I shall start on a cruise somewhere.  I have not yet decided where.  But before I go I shall certainly come and spend a day with you, my dear, to talk things over.  I will write to Miss Pidsley and arrange it all.  Your aunt will look after Betty and Tony very carefully, as you know, while I am away, and they have promised me to be happy and good, so that I may not be worried about them.  They are a good little pair, on the whole, and I feel quite satisfied about Tony at any rate.

“You must promise not to fret or worry about my health or my absence.  The doctor told me to keep as free from anxieties as possible, so, if you want to help me—­and I know you will—­you must be as happy and do as well at school as you possibly can—­that will help me more than anything—­and write to me letters full of smiles.  I know you know how to, and I shall count on hearing frequently.  In about three months’ time I hope we may all be journeying home together to keep our summer holidays.  I shall be back in time, I promise you, and will arrange so that I can meet you and Dan.

“I shall be writing again in a day or two.—­

“Your affectionate Father.”

When first she opened this letter and mastered its contents, Kitty turned cold and faint with the shock it brought her.  At once her imagination pictured her father ill, dying, or going away from them all and dying at sea.