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in a dreadful state. The shock had made him very ill, so that he could not rise from his bed. He hardly ever left off moaning and fretting, and would sometimes tear the bandages off his eyes in a rage, and then, when he found that still all was dark, he would fall upon his pillow, sobbing most piteously. It was enough to break one's heart to see him. He could hardly bear Effie to leave his side, and would let no one but her or his papa touch his eyes. He generally lay with his hand clasped fast in Effie's; and she always had some sweet hymn or verse ready to repeat to him, or something cheerful to talk to him about, though her little heart felt heavy as lead. Sometimes, when he was very restless, she would take him in her arms, and rock him up and down like a baby. The poor boy was so light that it did not tire her very much.

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CHAPTER XIV.

EFFIE AND CLEM GO BACK TO HARLEY STREET.

T last the long week was over, and the great surgeon, Mr. Spence, came again. Clement was much better in health, and

his eyes were less painful.

He was dressed for the first time, and seated in the arm-chair, with Effie by his side, ready to receive the surgeon. They were talking quite cheerfully when he came in, for they had implicit faith in him, and half expected he would open Clement's eyes, and make him see again at once. Mr. Spence was a stern man, with iron-grey hair and a hard face.

'Women and children out of the room!' he said, as soon as he entered. Effie stared, but did not go. 'Did you understand, ladies?' said he; 'women and children out of the room !'

Clement clutched Effie's hand and said tremblingly, 'I must have Effie, please.'

'Nonsense; I cannot be hindered by crying and hysterics.'

'Please let me stay with Clem,' pleaded Effie, looking sweetly up at the stern man, 'I will not move or speak.'

He seemed a little moved, and Dr. Bradley put in, 'I will answer for her; she is a brave little woman.'

'Stand behind the chair, then,' said the surgeon, as he wheeled it towards the window. Then he untied the bandages, and took them off very tenderly, and handed them to Effie, and with a large glass he examined the boy's eyes, and asked him several questions.

After looking at the eyes again and again, he said, turning to Effie, 'That will do, you may replace the bandages,' and he watched her narrowly while she did so; but Effie never noticed that, she was too intent on making her brother comfortable.

'That is good,' said the surgeon approvingly, when she had done; 'a clever nurse. Now come with me; and he led the way down-stairs, followed by Dr. Bradley and Effie.

'I see, little Miss, you are to be trusted!' said Mr. Spence, as he formally placed a chair for Effie; 'so I will give you the directions as to treatment, if you will kindly attend. As they are very important, perhaps you, Dr. Bradley, will write them down.'

Then he told Effie everything that was to be done for Clement.

'Now you may return to the patient. I will write the prescriptions, and give them to your father.'

As soon as Effie had left the room, Dr. Bradley turned anxiously, and asked the surgeon's opinion.

'Not satisfactory, by any means,' he answered. 'I fear the sight is most seriously injured; but follow my directions for a week, and if you see no marked improvement, bring the boy to town. I should like to have him near me.'

'I fear he could not bear the journey,' said Dr. Bradley.

'On the contrary, I think the change and excitement will do him good. He is much too nervous for a child.'

When Clement was told that he was to go to London, all he begged was that Effie might go with him. The two children still kept up their faith in the clever doctor.

On the day fixed for the journey, all the children came with them to the station to see them off. Poor Gus was in a terrible way, and could not forgive himself, for he thought he had been the cause of all the mischief. Very tenderly he carried his little brother about; and as he lifted him into the train, he whispered, 'Can you ever forgive me, Clem? I can never, never forgive myself.'

'Poor Gus!' answered Clem. 'It was my fault, not yours.'

When they reached London, the noise and confusion distressed Clem very much. He put his hands to his ears, and entreated Effie to hold him fast.

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Do take me back to the quiet country soon, papa,' he cried. 'Indeed I cannot live in this noise.' 'It will be quieter when we get home, darling,' said Effie; ' and you will soon return to the Folly.'

It was quiet enough in Harley Street, where a back-room had been prepared for Clem. He rested for a day or two after his journey, and then he was taken about from one doctor to another; and they had consultations and examinations, but without any effect. At last all the clever men came to the same conclusion, that it was a hopeless case, and that poor Clement would never see again. So, after a few weeks, Dr. Bradley determined to send him back to the Folly.

The night before they were to go, Effie went to her papa's study to have a little talk before going to bed. She found him with his head resting between his hands, looking very sad. He looked up and smiled when she came in, and stretched out his hand to welcome her, saying, 'Come, my Effie!'

'Are you busy, papa? I wanted to have one more little talk,' she said.

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