"If anything could have been done, it would have been done,—with Mr. Bateson there, on the spot. But,—nothing could."
"Yes, sir; I see!"
Another long pause.
"Your mother is a brave woman. You will have to be her stay and comfort now."
"Yes, sir," Jack replied mechanically. The thought arose unbidden,—How about Jessie? And how about his plans for getting away, and for laying by? This would make a great change in his life. How much of a change he could not yet measure or realize; but he would now be the one to whom his mother would look, upon whom she would lean, who would have to take his father's place. How about Jessie?
"Poor fellow!" the Vicar said voicelessly, more than once, noting the young man's absorbed face.
[CHAPTER XXII]
DIFFICULTIES
THE death of Groates was, of course, accidental; and no other verdict could well be returned by the coroner's jury; but the butcher boy came in for severe reprimand for his reckless driving, despite his excuse that he could not hold in the horse; and Stobbs himself was blamed also.
Steps were about to be taken to enforce, if possible, the payment of some amount of damages to the widow; but Stobbs was a sensible wan, and in view of perhaps finding himself liable for a good deal more, he voluntarily offered, by way of compensation, a sum which it was thought advisable to accept. Mrs. Groates did not move in this matter; and she seemed to shrink from the notion of "compensation," as if the loss which she had sustained could in any manner be "compensated for" by money. When told, however, that it was right for her children's sake, she submitted.