But the old man’s face only grew more hard.
“I am afraid it must be true,” he said. “Foolish boy! Woman, your husband has behaved like an idiot.”
“But you will send and fetch them back, Josiah.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Laura,” said the old man angrily. “How can I fetch them back? Foolish boy! At a time like this. Is he afraid to face the truth?”
“No, no, Josiah,” cried Mrs Lavington; “it is only that he was hurt.”
“Hurt? He has hurt himself. That man will be before the magistrates to-day, and I passed my word to the constable that Lindon should be present to answer the charge made against him.”
“Yes, dear, and he has been thoughtless. But you will forgive him, and have him brought back.”
“Have him brought back!” cried Uncle Josiah fiercely. “What can I do? The law will have him brought back now.”
“What? Oh, brother, don’t say that!”
“I must tell you the truth,” said Uncle Josiah sternly. “It is the same as breaking faith, and he has given strength to that scoundrel’s charge.”