But the time was coming when Althea might not be able thus to fortify herself.
One August morning the family sat at breakfast. It was earlier than usual, for Mr. Rush was to take the boat, which was to convey him the first stages of his journey to his native Thornton Hall. Master Johnny was already up and in his place; for he was a wide-awake fellow, bound never to be left behind.
"Johnny will not eat; he has not been well for several days," remarked the mother anxiously.
"You are always borrowing trouble. It is too early for the child to eat," said the undisturbed father.
"His stomach must be out of order; he threw up yesterday all he ate," continued Althea.
"Because you stuffed him so. You are making a glutton of him. You ought to know he should not eat more than he can hold," replied Thornton, amiable as usual.
The child had put his chubby hands upon the table, and laid upon them his curly head.
"Look up here, sir," said his father, sharply, "what ails you?"
The child raised his head wearily, and looked pleadingly to his mother. She arose, about to take him in her arms, when the father interposed.
"Let him alone. The boy is well enough. You are making a fool of him; he will never amount to a row of pins. I am going to take him in my own hands; he is old enough, and has been babied to death." "Shut up, I tell you," addressing Johnny, who was now crying for his mother to take him. "Yes, a new leaf shall be turned over just so soon as I return from Virginia. And you are about as much of a baby as he is, Althea," whose eyes he observed to be full of tears. "Here, another cup of coffee; you have no thought for me—you give all your attention to that child—there, there is the whistle now! Ten to one I shall be late, and all your fault, forcing me to talk instead of allowing me to eat. Hand me my valise—there, good-by and don't fret," and, rushing away, he gave no kiss to little Johnny, whom he was never more to behold; no kiss to Althea, whom he was indeed to meet again, to meet again and soon; but a gulf between him and her, insurmountable as death itself.