The ride carried him within a short distance of his work, and he was ready to be in his place when the grass was dry enough to cut. He felt none the worse for his journey, and greatly refreshed in spirit for having met with the people of God.
Before the week was out they had finished the last acre of cutting, and topped the last stack. It was a thankful family of sunburned people who retraced their steps to their home at the edge of town.
CHAPTER 19. — INDECISION AND RESTLESSNESS
It was now the middle of November, and the children were not yet in school. Austin’s first duty after coming back from the hay-fields was to get them ready and started in for the rest of the winter. He himself would have to work every day to help with the support of the family. No time now for him to think of going to school, but the younger five should have a better opportunity than he had been given. Such was his vow as he started them off the next Monday morning. The children were delighted to be back in Sunday-school and to begin their school-year. The time spent in the opens had greatly increased their appreciation of home.
But troubles were ahead. The warfare between Austin and his father waged harder than ever. They had no common point of contact in their natures. Austin had a clear, definite conception of duty and right, while his father’s conception of such things was unusually dim and vague. Austin not only saw and understood his own duty, but he saw with equal clearness his father’s duty. Though he was not a boy to nag, yet so strong was his personality that his displeasure was keenly felt. Thus Henry Hill felt continually under criticism. He was lashed for every slip and lapse from duty by the unspoken condemnation of this clear-eyed, strong-souled son of his, and made extremely uncomfortable.
Austin was almost as restless as his father. He had continually to fight a disgust and hatred that should have no part in a Christian’s emotions. And he longed to be of service in the world. It was the call of youth in his veins that stirred these restless longings, but Austin had no one to explain this to him. It is not nature that a boy should settle down to carry a man’s responsibilities, and any boy who has it to do will either become a drudge or will suffer with restless longings that can hardly be controlled.
“I am out of work again and do not know where in these parts I can get the kind I want. While you are here to stay with the children, I believe I will get out and look around a while. Maybe I can locate something more suitable in another town,” said Henry Hill to his son one day.
It was the same old story. Restlessness, dissatisfaction, wanderlust, irresponsibility, shirking of duty. Austin’s lips curled just a little in scorn before he answered his father.