"No, I am not coming to be a burden on him. I must work for the children. But, oh, Lizzie, you don't know all. He has left me deeply in debt, and taken all my own money, and the stock is so low. But don't tell father!"
"Left you in debt!—the rascal!"
"No, no, don't say that; he asked me to go with him two months ago, and I would not consent. So you see it's partly my own fault. But I never thought he would go without me."
"Well, you will just have to tell anybody that asks that he has gone to start a business abroad, and that you may be joining him later. It will be best to be straight about it."
"If he sent for me, should I have to go?"
"I expect you would. You had better tell father all about it, or he will be dreadfully angry if he hears of it from anybody else."
The old father was sitting by the fire reading his paper. He was good at heart, and thought no end of his "girls," but he had always considered it would never do to let them know this, that it was a parent's duty to do a certain amount of scolding.
"How's Ralph?" was his first question. "He's not been to see me for an age."
"He was quite well when I saw him last."
"Saw him last? Why, is he away from home?"