Austin’s lips set in two straight lines that meant battle. If the children were not going to yield obedience to him, he would not be able to keep the home together. Amy ought to see this. He said no more, and left the house without a word of good-by.
Amy, angry and rebellious, did not prepare for school nor did she do her share of the morning work. Nell left the house for school all fretted and angry that Amy had shirked her part. So all three of them were thoroughly unhappy all the day long.
Austin’s lips were still in their straight lines when he came home, and Amy just as defiant. He ignored her the entire evening, though he spoke pleasantly to Nell, and helped her with the work. Amy was unhappy and miserable, and the next day ungraciously enough prepared and went to school. But the battle was not done.
“I have a letter from Papa saying he will be here with the children this week. We must have everything ready for them,” announced Austin a few days after his conflict with Amy. And when the day came all three of them were at the station to welcome them. Lila and Doyle were wild with delight to be again with their brother and sisters, and wound their little arms about their necks in the most affectionate manner. Henry Hill looked on with complacency, for he felt that he was bestowing quite a favor upon his children in giving them such pleasure.
The children were well pleased with their new home, seeming not to notice the bareness of it; but their father noted it all, and said to himself, “Austin has undertaken more than he can handle. I thought he would find out there is something to supporting a family.” But he did not divide his summer’s wages.
“Girls, I have had a rise,” said Austin one evening, and sat back to enjoy the expressions of pleasure from his sisters.
“But there is another side to it. I will have to work nights. I shall have long hours and be away every night but one each week. How will that suit you?” he added.
“We shall not be afraid,” said Amy and Nell together.
“But I shall not be here to take you out of evenings. It will not do for you girls to be running about alone, and I fear the time will hang heavy on your hands.”
“We shall get along all right. You need not worry about us,” said Amy with more cheerfulness than was really necessary.