"Are you of no account to the wife and little woman at home? To the playing children, whose voices sound very full of music to me, as the breeze wafts them this way? Are you of no account to that sweet little sleeper who rests so trustfully and safely in her father's arms? Adam, your heart must tell you that there are many by whom you could be ill spared."
"Yes," he answered, simply. "They would want me."
"And though poor Maggie may not have cheeks as round and rosy, and her voice may not often be raised in song, I daresay she has a warm heart at the bottom. Depend on it, Adam Livesey, she keeps the best corner of it for you, though many cares prevent her saying much about it. Would she let anybody call you names behind your back?"
The striker's face assumed a look of positive amusement, as he said, "It wouldn't be good for 'em to try that game on with Maggie."
"Does she ever keep the best bit for your dinner, and try to go without any of it herself? I say 'try,' Adam, because I know you would not let her."
"To be sure she does. That's just Maggie. Why, sir, you might have seen for yourself."
"And do you think, if it could be possible for any one to say, 'Mrs. Livesey, if you would like to go back twelve years, you can. You shall be the girl Maggie again, only you must say "good-bye" to Adam and these six little plagues who make you so much work, and are so full of wants. Say the word, take back your youth and your roses, on condition that you part with husband and children.' Would she say the word, Adam?"
The man was strangely moved. The rugged features worked again, and showed the effect of Mr. Drummond's questioning. "No, no," he cried, "Maggie may scold a bit and say sharp words, then wish she hadn't, but nobody would drag that word out of her."
"Here's a nice man to say he's of no account. Why, Adam, you are a regular fraud, to set up as a person that nobody would miss."
Mr. Drummond laughed cheerily, and his hearer caught the infection. "I'm afraid I haven't come out very well in this line," he said. "I shall be getting conceited just now, and forget to give up."