Ralph Hickson was much older than his wife, and his illness made
him look older still. He had never had the force of character that
Grace, his spouse, possessed, and age and sickness had now rendered
him almost childish at times. But his nature was affectionate, and
stretching out his trembling arms from where he lay bedridden, he
gave Lois an unhesitating welcome, never waiting for the
confirmation of the missing letter before he acknowledged her to be
his niece.
'Oh! 'tis kind in thee to come all across the sea to make
acquaintance with thine uncle; kind in Sister Barclay to spare
thee!'
Lois had to tell him that there was no one living to miss her at
home in England; that in fact she had no home in England, no father
nor mother left upon earth; and that she had been bidden
