“I hope we have been wise in our decision,” said Mr. Hallock, for, that day, they had determined to send Frank to a boarding school in New Haven.
Kate was rejoiced to see her father and mother again. Her flash of anger against Frank was all gone, and she was eager for the moment of reconciliation to arrive.
“Here, Kate,” said Mr. Hallock, “here is the key. Go and liberate your brother and tell him to come to me.”
Kate ran up joyously, a candle in one hand, the key in the other. The key she thrust in at the place, turned it with a jerk, and the door flew back. “Come, Frank! Come, Bub! Papa is waiting for you, and there is all sorts of good things, an out and out feast for supper, to-night.”
Frank sat moodily by the window, unstirring and speechless.
Kate went near him—“Dear Frank,” she said, “I’m real sorry I said that, about wishing you wasn’t my brother—I’m ever so glad that you are—won’t you forgive me, Frank? Come down, do!”
Frank never moved.
Kate kissed his cheek—the very ear part of it, was all that she could touch.
Frank never stirred.
Mr. Hallock, listening, had heard Kate’s words.