“Coming home,” murmured the rector, as he steadied himself with the aid of the banister, “coming home! coming home!” There was a different inflection in his voice each time he repeated the phrase. Tenderness crept into the words, and tears 347 streamed down his cheeks, as he passed slowly into his study. “Coming home! Mary coming home!”
Dick and Dora were rather alarmed at the result of their plot. They dreaded the effect of possible disappointment; but they had learned what they wanted to know—that was the main point. The rector was inconsolable without his wife. Her return was the only thing that could dispel the torpor which rendered him indifferent to daily concerns.
Netty was called into counsel to decide what was to be done. Her simple settlement of the difficulty was very welcome.
“I shall just write and tell mother what you’ve done. Then, she can act as she pleases; but I expect she’ll be very angry.”
CHAPTER XXXII
HOME AGAIN
Netty’s letter to her mother was characteristic:
“My dear Mother,