Part 23 (1/2)
The only one who appeared calm was Kate, Henry's oldest sister. She uttered no expression of pain or surprise, but, after hearing what her brother said, looked down upon the floor, and seemed lost in meditation.
”My poor children!” such were the thoughts that pa.s.sed through the mind of Mrs. Ellis. ”If I could only screen you from these dreadful consequences! If I only were the sufferer, I could bear the burden uncomplainingly. Ah! will this cup never be full? Is there no hope? How earnestly I have sought to win him back again, Heaven only knows.”
From these reflections Mrs. Ellis was aroused by the voice of Kate, who had arisen up and was taking from a nail in the wall her bonnet and an old merino coat.
”Where is the tavern, Henry?” said she.
”What tavern?” answered the boy.
”The tavern where you saw father.”
”In Second street.”
”Why do you wish to know?” inquired Mrs. Ellis.
”I will go for him. He'll come home for me.”
”No--no, Kate. Don't think of such a thing!” said Mrs. Ellis, speaking from the impulse of the moment.
”It won't be of any use,” remarked Henry. ”Besides, it's very dark out, sister, and the tavern where I saw him is a long distance from here.
Indeed I wouldn't go, Kate. He isn't at all himself.”
The young girl was not in the least influenced by this opposition, but, rather, strengthened in her purpose. She knew that the air was damp and chilly, from an approaching easterly storm; and the thought of his being exposed to cold and rain at night, in the streets, touched her heart with a painful interest in her erring, debased, and fallen parent.
”It will rain to-night,” said she, looking at her brother.
”I felt a fine mist in the driving wind just as I came near the door,”
replied Henry.
”If father is not himself, he may fall in the street, and perish in the cold.”
”I don't think there is any danger of that, sister. He will be home after awhile. At any rate, there is little chance of your finding him, for he won't be likely to remain long at the tavern where I left him.”
”If I can't find him, so much the worse,” replied the girl, firmly.
”But, unless mother forbids my going, I must seek him and bring him home.”
Kate turned her eyes full upon her mother's face, as she said this, and, in an att.i.tude of submission, awaited her reply.
”I think,” said Mrs. Ellis, after a long silence, ”that little good will come of this; yet, I cannot say no.”
”Then I will find him and bring him home,” was the animated response of Kate.
”You must not go alone,” remarked Henry, taking up the cap he had a few minutes before laid off.
”Wait for supper. It is all ready,” said Mrs. Ellis. ”Don't go out until you have eaten something.”
”No time is to be lost, mother,” replied Kate. ”And, then, I haven't the least appet.i.te.”