Polly, who had passed Heaven knows how many sleepless nights on account of this her dissipated firstborn, and had not seen him for weeks and weeks, could have almost kneeled to Mr Carker the Manager, as to a Good Spirit—in spite of his teeth. But Mr Carker rising to depart, she only thanked him with her mother’s prayers and blessings; thanks so rich when paid out of the Heart’s mint, especially for any service Mr Carker had rendered, that he might have given back a large amount of change, and yet been overpaid.
As that gentleman made his way among the crowding children to the door, Rob retreated on his mother, and took her and the baby in the same repentant hug.
“I’ll try hard, dear mother, now. Upon my soul I will!” said Rob.
“Oh do, my dear boy! I am sure you will, for our sakes and your own!” cried Polly, kissing him. “But you’re coming back to speak to me, when you have seen the gentleman away?”
“I don’t know, mother.” Rob hesitated, and looked down. “Father—when’s he coming home?”
“Not till two o’clock to-morrow morning.”
“I’ll come back, mother dear!” cried Rob. And passing through the shrill cry of his brothers and sisters in reception of this promise, he followed Mr Carker out.
“What!” said Mr Carker, who had heard this. “You have a bad father, have you?”
“No, Sir!” returned Rob, amazed. “There ain’t a better nor a kinder father going, than mine is.”
“Why don’t you want to see him then?” inquired his patron.