"You did quite right," said Mrs. Wilson, who was half-way upstairs by this time. He was her own son in spite of all, and though she was not an emotional woman, she yearned to see the face of her only child, with a mother's feelings all aroused within her.
"He took fifty dollars!" repeated Silas Wilson, still harping on a wrong which he had never forgotten nor forgiven.
Bert was rather disgusted at the farmer's meanness, but he relieved his anxiety.
"He's brought you back the money!" he said shortly.
"He has!" exclaimed Silas in a tone of gladness. "Did he tell you so?"
"Yes; it is all the money he had, and he went without food rather than spend any of it."
"Come, that's encouragin'," said the farmer. "He's turnin' from his evil ways."
When they reached Bert's chamber they saw Mrs. Wilson kneeling beside the bed, her harsh features softened by the light of an affection which had been absent from them for years. She looked contented and happy, now that her boy was restored to her.
"Got back again, Phineas, hey?" said Silas Wilson. "You're lookin' kinder peaked."
"Yes, father, I've been sick, but now——"