'It was enough to make a fellow laugh,' he explained. 'To see last night how scared the kids were—Martha and Charity—and how they cut along when they saw me coming home.'
'This is not a cause for laughter. If you had a heart you would weep.'
'I thought I caught sight of father.'
'You did, but he also turned and left you. He could not face you as you were. You should be ashamed of yourself, Charles.'
'There, there!' he exclaimed impatiently, 'I will listen to no rebukes. I was not drunk, only a bit fresh.'
'Drunk or fresh matters little, you were not in a fit condition to come home; and what is more, I will not allow you to live in this cottage longer.'
'You will not?'
'No, I will not.'
'Who is to prevent me?'
'I will.'