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Book, page 171 / 182 speaking low and affectionately to console him, as she saw him so downcast; 'don't you know how poor Alfy says he's come to be instead of a son to Mother, and a brother to us? I must go up and tell Alf and mother. They'll be so pleased.' Paul felt very differently about the plan now. All the house congratulated him upon it, and Matilda evidently thought more of him now that she found he was to have something to do. But such things as these were out of sight beside that which was going on in the room above. Alfred slept better that night, and woke so much revived, that they thought him better: and Harold, greatly comforted about him, stood tolerably quietly by his side, listening to one or two things that Alfred had longed for months past to say to him. 'Promise me, Harold dear, that you'll be a good son to Mother: you'll be the only one now.' Harold made a bend of his head like a promise. 'O Harold, be good to her!' went on Alfred earnestly; 'she's had so much trouble! I do hope God will leave you to her--if you are steady and good. Do, Harold! She's not like some, as don't care what their lads get to. And don't take after me, and be idle! Be right-down good, Harold, as Paul is; and when you come to be ill--oh! it won't be so bad for you as it was for me!' 'I do want to be good,' sighed Harold. 'If I'd only been confirmed; but 'twas all along of them merries last summer!' 'And I was such a plague to you--I drove you out,' said Alfred. 'No, no, I was a brute to you! Oh! Alfy, Alfy, if I could only get back the time!' He was getting to the sobs that hurt his brother; and his sister was going to interfere; but Alfred said: 'Never mind, Harold dear, we've been very happy together, and we'll
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