"A wanderer has come home," Mrs. Harrison said.
"Oh! your scapegraces I suppose. My son Joe has a very bad opinion of him—I can tell you that."
Mrs. Harrison took no notice of this thrust, but said—
"No, my boy has not come home; but your daughter has returned. She is little Joy's mother."
"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Skinner; "I don't believe it."
"Well, it is true; and you have only to come to Mr. Boyd's to convince yourself of the truth. If other tokens were wanting, the likeness between dear little Joy and her mother is striking; and, besides——"
"There, I don't want to hear any more," Mrs. Skinner said. "I'm a miserable woman—that's what I am; but I want no pity, and I want nobody or nothing."
Patience Harrison ventured a little nearer, and said, "Come and see our dear little Joy and her mother. You will feel happier then. God will comfort your sore heart, if you turn to Him. Do come and satisfy yourself that you have a child and a grandchild, who will love you if you will let them."
Mrs. Skinner took no further notice of what Patience Harrison said, and resolutely turned her head away. But just as Bet was leaving the kitchen with her visitor she said:
"You stay at home, and don't go gadding off where you are not wanted. Bide at home and do your duty. Do you hear?"