“Drunk,” supplied David gravely.
“He became angry with one of his friends and tried to kill him. Your father was given 83 a comparatively short sentence, which he had almost served when he died. You must guard against your temper and cultivate patience and endurance––qualities your mother possessed.”
It suddenly and overwhelmingly flashed across David what need his mother must have had for such traits, and he turned away to force back his tears. The Judge saw the heaving of the slender, square, young shoulders, and the gray eyes that were wont to look so coldly upon the world and its people grew soft and surprisingly moist.
“It’s past now, David, and can’t be helped, but you are going to aim to be the kind of man your mother would want you to be. You must learn to put up with Jud’s tyranny because his father and his aunt are your benefactors. I have been away the greater part of the time since your father’s death, or I should have kept track of you and your mother. Every time you come to town I want you to come up here and report to me. Will you?”
“Thank you, sir. And I will bring you some more flowers.” 84
CHAPTER VII
“Whar wuz you, Dave, all the time we wuz in town?” asked Barnabas, as they drove homeward.
“In Judge Thorne’s office.”
“Judge Thorne’s office! What fer?”
“He asked me there, Uncle Barnabas. He was my father’s lawyer once, you know.”