“Scott, I do not see how you can have the patience to allow her to remain.”
“My good little sister, you never had the heart to turn 255 any one away who was in distress. Irene is ill, and were you to see her you would pity her as I do.”
“Perhaps I would,” said June, “but I never want to look on her face again, she has caused us so much trouble.”
“That is true,” said Scott, “but it should not debar us from doing our duty.”
June could not see that it was their duty to help a woman who had brought so much misery to their home, and wrecked the life of her noble brother, but she knew upon a moment’s reflection that Scott was right, and she concluded that she must be lacking in charity. She stood for a moment in deep thought, and then stepping to Scott’s side, and laying her hand on his arm, she said:
“Scott, I did not wish to wound you, and I am sorry if I have done so, and whatever you think best I will try to do, but, ah, I never can love Irene or call her my sister again.”
“I neither ask nor expect it, but it is our duty to care for her while she lives, and the most painful duty of life is often the most necessary to perform. I have neither love nor respect for the false woman who has come to me for shelter, but, God helping me, I will try to do my duty, whatever it may be, and if it be necessary for me to battle with the scoffs of the world in order to do my duty, my strength shall be sufficient to enable me to bear it.”
“Oh, mother,” said June, “it seems to me that if there is a just God He will find some way to remove the cause of my noble brother’s sorrow.”
“June,” said Scott, “there is but one way. Do not 256 even think about that. Come, Irene is very tired, and it is quite necessary that you attend to her wants by giving her every attention. Give her the room she used to have, and let her retire.”
June followed Scott to his room, where she found Irene waiting.