But her troubles were not over for that day.
To her surprise, a few minutes after Charley Barker had taken his departure, Mr. Smithers entered the room, which was a very unusual occurrence for him, as he usually did not make his appearance until business at the store was over.
Throwing himself into a chair, he glanced at his wife, and remarked that there were traces of silent tears in her eyes and on her cheeks.
"Crying again!" he exclaimed, petulantly. "I never saw such a woman. You're always sniveling at something or another."
"Tommy's gone," she replied, bursting out weeping again.
"A good job, too. Where's he flitted to?"
"He went on board an ocean steamer with Charley Barker, and through his carelessness or stupidity, did not go ashore with the others, and was carried along."
"That boy's little better than a born idiot!" exclaimed Mr. Smithers, unfeelingly.
"I'm sure he isn't that," replied the mother, checking her tears.
"I tell you he's the fool of the family, and I'm glad to be rid of him. He'll fall on his legs—all these half-witted ones do—so dismiss that from your mind, while I tell you a bit of real trouble."