I will not
leave you any more. Let us all get on out home and begin housekeeping
again," Austin said bruskly to cover his feelings. Tears were on his
cheeks, and a choke in his throat as he looked at the little motherless
children so joyful to see him. He looked up with a new feeling of
responsibility to God, whom he believed was pleased to have him again take
the children.
In the next two hours the children tried to tell him all that had happened
in his absence, while he listened half abstractedly, trying to plan the
course he should take. He could not set up housekeeping permanently without
his father's consent and support, but he felt certain that his father meant
to do his part. Before the day was done, he had etablished himself in the
little house by the side of the road, and had the three children with him.
"I hear that Austin is home, Nellie," said Mr. Blaine an evening or two
later, after he had returned from town.
"Mr. Blaine, is that true? I want to go home right away. I want to see him!
I must see him! Are you sure he is home?" and the little face looked up
into his tremulously.
"I see I have made a mistake. Mrs. Blaine will be after me for making her
nurse-girl dissatisfied," laughed Mr. Blaine.
"I have to see him!" and the child began to cry.
"There, there, don't cry, Nellie. I will be going over that way one of
these days and will take you over," soothed the man.
"I can't wait a day or two. I want to see him now.
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