Mrs. Ringrose was reading quietly in her room—reading some proof-sheets which Harry had posted to her the day before—when she heard the bell ring and her boy's own step upon the stairs. "You have news!" she cried as he entered; then at his face—"He has come back!"
"Mother, did you expect it?"
"I have expected it every morning of all these years. I have prayed for it every night."
"Your prayer is answered!"
"Where is he?"
"I left him in the cab——"
"But he could not wait!" cried a broken voice; and as Harry stood aside to let his father pass, he could see nothing through his own tears, but he never forgot the next words he heard.
"I have paid them all—all—all!" his father cried. "I can look the world in the face once more!"
"I care nothing about that," his mother answered. "You have come back to me. Oh! you have come back!"