She stood for a moment looking after him, conscience-struck.
He trudged along and never turned his head, a mean, shabby, little figure, looking strangely out of place amid the flowers and trees and gaily-dressed children. Prin felt a pang of self-reproach as she sped back to the house.
[CHAPTER X]
The Princess Returns
BERT had a warm welcome from Mr. Corney when he appeared at the top of the area steps. Cetywayo seemed to remember the boy who had been kind to him, and in a dignified and distant manner accepted Bert's caresses.
Mrs. Kay, too, greeted him kindly; but she looked ill and wretched. The sore struggle with her besetting sin was almost more than she could endure. It resulted in a depression which sometimes manifested itself as hopeless apathy, and sometimes as extreme irritability. She was a prey to the most terrible remorse, and, brooding over the past, could find no hope for the future. In vain her brother strove to cheer her, in vain he spoke of Him who is the sinner's Friend, and by whose grace he had himself been delivered from sin. His sister had no faith to lay hold of the Hand stretched out to her, and every now and again a relapse into intemperance shattered her confidence in herself and plunged her deeper in despair.
But Mr. Corney had not lost hope for her. His face had the strained look of one who bears a burden; but his smile was bright as he welcomed Bert, and proceeded to prepare a festive meal in honour of his return.
The boy was pleased and grateful; but the old man was quick to perceive that he too had a burden on his heart.
"No doubt he is sad at leaving the hospital, where the nurses were so kind to him," thought Mr. Corney, and he did his best to make the boy feel that he loved him.
Bert was cheered by the old man's kindness, but he kept silence concerning Prin. Not even to Mr. Corney could he tell how he had seen his sister, and she had cast him off.