‘A doctor’s no good. My poor Ruth!’ he groaned. He held the paper towards his daughter, and she knew the worst.
Her father was a shareholder in the ruined bank!
‘It’s ruin, child!’ he groaned. ‘Ruin! The saving of a lifetime swept away! We are beggars!’
‘Oh, father, don’t despair!’ whispered Ruth, trembling. ‘It may not be so bad as you think.’
‘It’s ruin, I tell you!’ he cried, almost savagely. ‘We shall be houseless beggars! Oh, my God! my God!’
‘Poor mother!’ sighed Ruth. ‘It will break her heart!’
John Adrian started.
‘Hush!’ he said, seizing Ruth’s arm. ‘Keep it from her as long as we can.’
The room door was closed.
While they spoke it opened and Mrs. Adrian came out.