Part 29 (1/2)

Mr. Pryor got down and gathered up the money from the road. He followed into the house and set the gun in the corner.

”Don't be frightened,” he said to mother. ”The boy has walked all night, and all day, with no sleep or food, and the gun was a heavy load for him. I gathered from what he said, when the dogs let us know they were coming, that this hound took your money. Your dog barked and awakened the boy and he loaded the gun and followed. The fellow had a good start and he didn't get him until near daybreak. It's been a stiff pull for the youngster and he seems to feel it was his fault that this cowardly cur you sheltered learned where you kept your money. If that is true, I hope you won't be hard on him!”

Father was unfastening Leon's neckband, mother was rubbing his hands, Candace was taking off his shoes, and May was spilling water father had called for, all over the carpet, she shook so. When Leon drew a deep breath and his head rolled on the pillow, father looked at Mr. Pryor.

I don't think he heard all of it, but he caught the last words.

”'Hard on him! Hard on him!'” he said, the tears rolling down his cheeks. ”'This my son, who was lost, is found!'”

”Oh!” shouted Mr. Pryor, slamming the money on the table. ”Poor drivel to fit the circ.u.mstances. If I stood in your boots, sir, I would rise up in the mighty strength of my pride and pull out foundation stones until I shook the nation! I never envied mortal man as I envy you to-day!”

Candace cried out: ”Oh look, his poor feet! They are blistered and bleeding!”

Mother moved down a little, gathered them in her arms, and began kissing them. Father wet Leon's lips and arose. He held out his hand, and Mr. Pryor took it.

”I will pray G.o.d,” he said, ”that it may happen 'even so' to you.”

Leon opened his eyes and caught only the last words.

”You had better look out for the 'Even So's,' father,” he said.

And father had to laugh, but Mr. Pryor went out, and slammed the door, until I looked to see if it had cracked from top to bottom; but we didn't care if it had, we were so happy over having Leon back.

I went and picked up the money and carried it to father to put away, and that time he took it. But even then he didn't stop to see if he had all of it.

”You see!” I said, ”I told you----”

”You did indeed!” said father. ”And you almost saved our reason.

There are times when things we have come to feel we can't live without, so press us, that money seems of the greatest importance. This is our lesson. Hereafter, I and all my family, who have been through this, will know that money is not even worth thinking about when the life and honour of one you love hangs in the balance. When he can understand, your brother shall know of the wondrous faith his Little Sister had in him.”

”Maybe he won't like what you and mother thought. Maybe we better not tell him. I can keep secrets real well. I have several big ones I've never told, and I didn't say a word about the Station when Leon said I shouldn't.”

”After this there will be no money kept on the place,” said father.

”It's saving time at too great cost. All we have goes into the bank, and some of us will cheerfully ride for what we want, when we need it.

As for not telling Leon, that is as your mother decides. For myself, I believe I'd feel better to make a clean breast of it.”

Mother heard, for she sobbed as she bathed Leon's feet, and when his eyes came open so they'd stay a little while, he kept looking at her so funny, between sips of hot milk.

”Don't CRY, mammy!” he said. ”I'M all right. Sorry such a rumpus!

Let him fool me. Be smart as the next fellow, after this! Know how glad you are to get the money!”

Mother sat back on her heels and roared as I do when I step in a b.u.mblebee's nest, and they get me. Leon was growing better every minute, and he stared at her, and then his dealish, funny old grin began to twist his lips and he cried: ”Oh golly! You thought _I_ helped take it and went with him, didn't you?”

”Oh my son, my son!” wailed mother until she made me think of Absalom under the oak.

”Well, I be ding-busted!” said Leon, sort of slow and wondering-like, and father never opened his head to tell him that was no way to talk.

Mother cried more than ever, and between sobs she tried to explain that I heard what the traveller man had said about how bad it was to live in the country; and how Leon was now at an age where she'd known boys to get wrong ideas, and how things looked, and in the middle of it he raised on his elbow and took her in his arms and said: ”Well of all the geese! And I 'spose father was in it too! But since it's the first time, and since it is you----! Go to bed now, and let me sleep---- But see that you don't ever let this happen again.”

Then he kissed her over and over and clung to her tight and at last dropped back and groaned: