The boys received similar treatment. As Paul’s clear and experienced eye almost instantly detected the cause of the evil that was threatening to make a wreck of their young lives, the same methods had from the first been made use of to fill their unemployed hours.
Such had been the lives of our friends, and now came the task of moving, or of emigration. The old familiar scenes, the walks and drives, the groves and the cooling fountains, would know them no more. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace had long since known of this project and it was with sincere regret they saw the day approach when they should say good bye to these elder, and at one time considered burdensome children. But far worse than they had expected—their younger children refused to remain behind, but insisted on going along to the new home.
At first Mrs. Wallace would hear none of it, but as they begged so hard, and were seconded by all the members of the “colony,” she finally gave her consent.
Of course it is not to be supposed that Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, especially the latter, fully understood the nature of the home to which her children were to be taken. She was too thorough a woman of the world to countenance a scheme so unconventional, so outlandish. She only knew that it was a co-operative home her children were going to; that they had become bright, healthy and strong since she had given them into the care of her stepdaughters, and as she knew she would now have to send them away again to complete their education she wisely concluded it was better to send them where she felt assured they would be properly cared for, and more so as it was just as easy for them to come home on a vacation from the co-operative home as from any other school. And—yes, she could go to see them. The invitation had been tendered her, so that matter was satisfactorily settled.
Osmond, too, had a severe battle to fight. His life for the past two years had been a series of battles. His father had soon discovered the presence of Osmond’s mother, and knew of his visits to her. With a volley of oaths he had issued the command that Osmond should never go near her again. To his surprise the boy not only demurred to this but firmly declared that he would go to see his mother as often as he desired. Almost dumb-founded the father shouted:
“What! Court the society of that outcast! that shameless creature who knows not the meaning of the word decency? the woman who——”
“No more of that!”—came in firm, almost defiant tones from the lips of the boy. “You have slandered the best and purest of women long enough—the woman I am proud to own as my mother! An accident made me acquainted with her and with her friends, and never until then did I know what purity meant, what true manhood and womanhood meant. My mother and my sister are women with whom any man might well be proud to claim kinship. I will not give up their companionship. I would rather cut loose from you!”
Mr. Leland stormed, fumed and cursed, but to no avail. The boy was firm.
“I will disinherit you!” he exclaimed. “I will cut you off without a cent!”
“Do so!” was the calmly uttered reply. “Then I will find some work to do and will transfer my life altogether to the side of my mother.”