The boy waited so long for the question, while the schoolmaster looked at a new side of his finger, and bit it, and looked at it again, that at length the boy repeated:

“The question is, sir⁠—?”

“Whether you had not better leave well alone.”

“Is it well to leave my sister alone, Mr. Headstone?”

“I do not say so, because I do not know. I put it to you. I ask you to think of it. I want you to consider. You know how well you are doing here.”

“After all, she got me here,” said the boy, with a struggle.

“Perceiving the necessity of it,” acquiesced the schoolmaster, “and making up her mind fully to the separation. Yes.”