Something has happened which compelled him to leave England
at once. He could do nothing, make no arrangements. Mother, he said,
had a little money; we must sell everything and manage to live
somewhere for a little; he would try to send us what he could. Then
I went home. There was a police-officer in the house, and mother had
gone away, I can't tell where. Father has done something, and--
Oh, what shall I do? You can help me, can't you?"
Waymark, whom this news overwhelmed with blank despair, could at
first say nothing; but the very greatness of the blow gradually
produced in him the strength to bear it. He saw that fate had taken
the future out of his hands; there was no longer even the appearance
of choice. To Maud he must now devote himself, aiding her with all
his strength in the present and through the days to come.
"Shall I go back home with you?" he asked, pressing her hands to
comfort her, and speaking with the calmness of one who had made up
his mind.
"Yes; perhaps mother will have returned. But what shall we do? What
will happen to father? Do you know anything of all this?"
"Nothing whatever. Walk with me to the top of the street, and we
will take a cab.
Pages:
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509