Then he told me that Chet was drinking and gambling, and had written to him for money.
"I feel that I ought not to send it to him, at the same time I promised to stand by Minnie's children. That woman has turned his father against him, and the latter has sworn never to send him another cent to help him out of his scrapes."
He sent the money, though, then and once afterward.
How long the estrangement between the brothers might have lasted I know not, had not Fred fallen ill or something. They said he had "snakes," whatever that is.
Paddy came in great haste, and Master was away nearly two days. He looked very worn and white on his return, but afterward seemed more cheerful, and in time I learned that his brother had quit drinking and signed a pledge. They were much together after that, and finally the town house was given up, and the family came to the farm. I was very sorry, only I was glad to have Bobby again.
Mrs. Wallace was in poor health, too, and spent most of her time in bed.
Mr. and Mrs. Pell stayed on just the same, and great friends they became with Bobby, but the boys were trials to all of us.
Tommy was his mother's boy, Master said, and I guess he did not mean it for a compliment either.
By and by even good-natured Mrs. Pell got cross with him. He chased the young chickens to death, clubbed the pigs and cows, crushed the little chickens between two boards, trampled the flower beds and made himself generally hateful.