"I am very busy, mother, on a most important matter; but you know
I will always make everything give way for you."
So saying, he stepped into the room and stood awaiting his mother's pleasure, after bowing somewhat formally to the younger lady.
"What are these reports I hear about you, Hesden?" asked his mother, with some show of anger.
"I beg your pardon, little mother," said Hesden smiling; "but was it to make this inquiry you called me from my business?"
"Yes, indeed," was the reply; "I should like to know what there could be of more importance to you than such slanderous reports as Cousin Hetty tells me are being circulated about you."
"I have no doubt they are interesting if Cousin Hetty brings them," said Hesden; "but you will please excuse me now, as I have matters of more importance to attend to."
He bowed, and would have passed out, but the good lady cried out almost with a shriek,
"But Hesden! Hesden! Hetty says that—that—that they say—you—are a—a Radical!"
She started from her pillows, and leaned forward with one white hand uplifted, as she waited his reply.
He turned back instantly, stepped quickly to the bedside, and put his one arm caressingly about her as he said earnestly, "I am afraid, mother, if one speaks of things which have occurred in Horsford during the past few days as a man of honor ought, he must expect to be called bad names."