“And so,” said Miss Huntingdon with a smile, “good will come out of this evil, and it will turn out one of those ‘all things’ which ‘work together for good to those who love God.’”
And Walter strove bravely to keep his word, and in the main succeeded.
Old Harry began, on the day after he had made the unlooked-for disclosure, to pack up his things and make preparations for his departure, feeling fully persuaded that, on his master’s return, he should receive his instant dismissal. However, when Mr Huntingdon came home, two or three days after the explosion, not a word was said about the butler’s leaving; indeed, if anything, his master’s manner was kinder to him than usual, but not the slightest reference was made on either side to what had passed. With Amos, however, it was different. His father would scarcely speak to him beyond the coldest salutations morning and evening. The poor young man felt it keenly, but was not surprised. He could now open his mind fully to his aunt, and did so, and his own convictions and judgment agreed with her loving counsel that he should wait in trust and patience, and all would be well.
Chapter Twelve.
Progress.
Mr Huntingdon’s conduct toward Amos was a great grief to his sister, but she felt that she must not openly interfere, and that she could only do her best to make up to her nephew, as far as was possible, for his father’s coldness, and look for brighter times, which she felt sure were coming, though as yet scarcely the faintest streak of dawn could be seen on the horizon. The old butler also was a great comfort to his young master, being most anxious to do everything in his power to undo any evil consequences which his own abrupt outspeaking might have brought upon Amos. So he encouraged him to persevere in his great purpose, with all his might, assuring him that things would come nicely round in time. Amos shook his head sadly, for he was naturally of a desponding turn; he could see at present little but clouds and thorns before him. Not that he wavered in his purpose for a moment, or had the least thought of holding back from the work he had set his hand to, even for a time. But his father’s harshness and manifestly abiding displeasure towards himself he found very hard to bear. Nevertheless he was comforted by the reiterated affirmations of Harry that things were coming nicely round.
“Take my word for it,” said the shrewd old man; “I knows the old master and his ways better than you do, Master Amos, though you’re his son and I ain’t. But I’ve knowed him years longer than you have. Now he’s displeased with you; but I’ll tell you who he’s more displeased with, and that’s just his own self. I don’t mean no disrespect to your father, Master Amos—he’s as kind-hearted a gentleman and as good a master as ever was, only a bit hasty sometimes; but then, which on us ain’t got faults of our own enough and to spare? But I’m sure of this, he has never been fairly satisfied with keeping the door shut agen dear Miss Julia as was, and he won’t be satisfied, depend on it, till she’s back again—I know it. You see, though there was a reg’lar flare up when I spoke up for you the other night, he has never said a word of blame to me on the subject; and for why? I’ll tell you—it’s just because he knows and feels down in his heart of hearts as I were not to blame. But he must be angry with somebody—’taint pleasant to be angry with one’s own self; he’s never been used to be angry with Master Walter; ’tain’t no use being angry with Miss Huntingdon, ’cos she’d look the fiercest man as ever lived into a good temper—the mere sight of her face is enough for that, let alone her words. So master’s just showing his anger to you, Master Amos. But it won’t last; it can’t last. So you just stick to your work, and I’ll back you up all in my power, and I’ll keep my tongue inside my teeth for the future, if I possibly can.”
As for Walter, he felt thoroughly ashamed of himself, and tried in many ways to make up to his brother for his past unkindness, by various little loving attentions, and by carefully abstaining from taunting and ungracious speeches. This was very cheering to the heart of Amos, and lightened his trial exceedingly; but he felt that he could not yet take Walter fully into his confidence, nor expect him to join with him in a pursuit which would involve much quiet perseverance and habitual self-denial. For how were the banished ones to be brought back? What present steps could be taken for their restoration? Any attempt to introduce the subject of his sister’s marriage and present position in his father’s presence he felt would, as things now were, be worse than useless. Once he attempted to draw the conversation in that direction; but Mr Huntingdon, as soon as he became aware of the drift of his son’s observations, impatiently changed the subject. On another occasion, when Walter plunged headlong into the matter by saying at tea-time to his aunt, “Eh! what a long time it is since we saw anything of Julia. I should so like to have her with us again; shouldn’t you, auntie?” his father, striking his clenched fist on the table, and looking sternly at his son, said in a voice trembling with suppressed anger, “Not a word again on that subject, Walter, unless you wish to drive me out of my own house.” So Amos’s great purpose, his life-work to which he had dedicated himself, his means, his best energies, seemed hopelessly blocked.