"I don't know; he kept with the ship. I came directly home, fearing to let any less friendly person tell you the sad news."
"You were very kind," sobbed the poor woman, "very kind; I shall never forget it."
"I always wished to be kind to you, Ellen," was the almost tender reply.
"I know it, I know it; but he always stood between me and any other man."
Thrasher arose, and would have approached Mrs. Mason; but Rose clung to her neck with one arm and waved him away with the other.
"She is my mother—you shan't touch my mother!" she cried, flashing angry glances at him through her tears. Thrasher looked upon the child with mingled hate and fear. It was wonderful how much power those deep blue eyes, sparkling with a thousand childish emotions, possessed over the strong man. There was something spirituelle in her loveliness that impressed him, as if an angel had been reading the record of his life, and rebuked him with those violet eyes.
Thrasher arose hesitating, and almost timidly; he stood expecting Mrs. Mason to notice the movement; but she was occupied with her grief, and did not observe him.
"Mother," said little Rose, smiling through her tears, "look up, mother; the man who makes you cry is going away."
Mrs. Mason wiped her eyes, and strove to appear interested.
"Hush, Rose, hush, he has been very kind to come with this sorrowful news."