“He cannot understand now—better come to-morrow morning,” she said gently; and they, opening the door, conquering a stubborn desire to stay, slowly went out.
Anthony hesitated, not quite knowing what to do.
He looked at the girl.
The firm mouth was set; but there was no sign of complaint nor of anger upon her.
He felt a certain meanness in the object of the journey from which he was just returned.
The poor drunken man began to upbraid himself.
“Hush, father,” said the girl——
He hiccupped:
“I am very drunk,” he said. “Why deny it?”
“Ah, father! that you should have come out into the day at last!... I have feared this—for years.”