'Oh, indeed!' she said.
'And then again,' I said, taking her hand, 'do you think that anything kind from you can surprise me? No, indeed, Josey; we all have cause to know the goodness of your heart. I couldn't love a sister better than I love you.'
'Did anybody ever hear the like of that!' she exclaimed, laughing and crying at one time. 'As if a single girl wanted to be loved like a sister! Never mind, Chris, my dear, don't mind what I say; you know what I mean. But, as the first act of my piece is not as successful as I thought it would be, I shall have nothing to do with the second. Oh, yes, it's in two acts, Chris!'
Before I could speak, uncle Bryan took up her words.
'It is another of this good little woman's whims, my dear boy,' he said, that we should all sleep in the old shop to-night, as we used to do, your mother, you, and I. It will only be for this one night, Chris, notwithstanding Josey's persuasion, for if all goes well, I shall regularly make over the business to her; and to-morrow morning she will take possession again.'
'You have decided to come and live with us,' I said; 'that is good, isn't it, mother?'
'We shall have time to talk over that to-night, my dear boy.'
'Then the best thing you can do,' said Josey briskly, 'is to run away at once and settle it. I sha'n't be able to close my eyes until I know how it is all settled. There! Away with you!' And she fairly bustled us out of the house.
'Let us walk slowly,' said uncle Bryan, 'it is a fine night, and I have something to say to you. Nay, Emma, don't walk away; I should like you to hear me. Chris, the words you addressed to me the last night we were together in the old shop have never left my mind. Do not interrupt me, my dear boy--I think I know what you wish to say. You would say that you spoke too strongly, and that you painted all that had passed in colours too vivid; let that be as it may, you spoke the truth. I recognised it then; I recognise and acknowledge it now. But the pain which I suffered--and I did suffer most keenly, my dear boy--was not so much for myself as for your dear mother, for I saw that every word you spoke wounded her tender heart. Had you seen this, you would have held your tongue, and I should have been spared a just punishment. Chris, I did not ask you yesterday, although it was in my mind to do so; I ask you now: have you forgiven me?'
I was humbled by the humbleness of his tone and manner. It might have been a child who was pleading to me. I found it impossible to speak, but I threw my arms round his neck, and kissed him.