342
SIR CHRISTOPHER COCKLESHELL
not mad at all. So the tiresome relations got nothing but lawyers' bills for their pains.
Phyllis only saw Sir Christopher once again. He sent for her when he was dying. They had moved his bed into the pearly room, and he lay facing the green curtain.
'If it seems too hard when the time comes,' he said, 'you need not do the work. Your father knows how to arrange that.'
'You needn't be afraid,' said Phyllis; 'it's the most splendid chance anyone ever had.'
'Kiss me, dear,' he said, 'and then draw back the curtain.'
But before Phyllis's hand had touched the green curtain he sat up in the bed and held out his arms towards the picture.
'Why, ladybird!' he cried, his face all alight with love and joy. 'Why, my little girl!'
