There were other elements here--for one the element of an old
affection that had once been at the very root of the boy's soul and
was now in the strangest way creeping back to him, as an old
familiar, but forgotten form might creep out of the dark and sit at
his feet and clasp his knees.
"Well," said John Warlock. "That's very pleasant. You must feel very
grateful to your aunt Rachel, Martin; she's given you the
opportunity of doing what you like with your life. She spoke to me
about it before she died."
"She spoke to you about it?"
"Yes. She told me that she did it because she wanted to bring you
back to me. She knew of my love for you. We often talked of you
together. She was a faithful servant of God. She believed that God
meant to bring you, through her, back into His arms."
"I might not have come," Martin said with a sudden anger that
surprised himself. "She made no conditions. I might have gone on
with my life there abroad. I am free to lead my own life where and
how I please."
"Quite free." His father answered gently. "But she knew that you
would come. Of course you are your own master, Martin--"
"No, but it must be quite clear," Martin cried, the excitement
rising in him as he spoke.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191