"
"I will tell you why I think you should not," replied Hamish; "why it
will be better that you should not. It is most desirable that they
should be home, here, in this house, before the tidings are broken to
them. I should not like them to hear of it in the streets, or at the
station; especially my mother."
"Of course not," assented Tom.
"And, were you at the station," quietly went on Hamish to him, "the
first question would be, 'Where's Charley?' If Tom Channing can get
leave of absence from school, Charley can."
"I could say--"
"Well?" said Hamish, for Tom had stopped.
"I don't know what I could say," acknowledged Tom.
"Nor I. My boy, I have thought it over, and the conclusion I come to,
if you appear at the station, is this: either that the tidings must be
told to them, then and there, or else an evasion, bordering upon an
untruth. If they do not see you there, they will not inquire
particularly after Charles; they will suppose you are both in school."
"I declare I never set my mind upon a thing but something starts in to
frustrate it!" cried Tom, in vexation. But he relinquished his
intention from that moment.
Chattering Annabel threw up her head. "As soon as papa and mamma come
home, we shall put on mourning, shall we not? Constance was talking
about it with Lady Augusta."
"Do not talk of mourning, child," returned Hamish. "_I_ can't give him
up, if you do."
Afternoon came, and Hamish proceeded alone to the station.
Pages:
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663