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Again the two occupants of the old kitchen gazed at the fire for a long time in silence, and again there came from the young man the same long-drawn sigh that had attracted Mr. Growther's attention before. "That's the second time," he remarked. "I was thinking," said Haldane, rising to retire, "whether I shall ever have better work than this odious routine at the mill." Mr.
The man reddened, frowned, and then said: "Really, sir, our seats are generally taken Sunday mornings. I think you will feel more at home at our mission chapel in Guy street." "And among the guys, why don't you add?" retorted Haldane, his old spirit flashing up, and he turned on his heel and stalked back to Mr. Growther's cottage. "Short sermon to-day," said the old man starting out of a doze.
You're only giving me a chance to hit the adversary 'twixt the eyes," and the old man added his characteristic "A-a-h!" in an emphatic and vengeful manner, as if he would like to hit very hard. Human nature was on the side of Mr. Growther's view of conversion.
Growther's unexpected course that the odd old man was out of the gate before the situation was fully realized. His first impulse was to follow, and say that he would not be left alone in circumstances that might compromise him; but a second thought assured him that he was past being compromised. So he concluded to fall in with his host's queer humor, and try to prove himself worthy of trust.
He soon concluded not to make Mr. Growther's humble cottage a hiding-place; and he commenced walking abroad through the city after the work of the day. He assumed no bravado, but went quietly on his way like any other passer-by. The majority of those who knew who he was either ignored his existence, or else looked curiously after him, but some took pains to manifest their contempt.
Growther's dog would feel should he succeed in growling the intruder out of the house; for, being somewhat mystified, and not exactly sure as to his master's disposition toward the stranger, he concluded to limit his protest to a union of his voice with what might be termed society's surly and monotonous command, "Move on."
After the exasperating experiences and noise of the day, Mr. Growther's cottage was not the quiet refuge he needed. Mr. Growther's growl was chronic, and it rasped on Haldane's overstrained nerves like the filing of a saw. Dr.
If he's backslid agin, nothin' but my little, peaked-faced chap will ever bring him around a nuther time." Haldane was stalking up and down the room in strong excitement and quite oblivious of Mr. Growther's perplexity. "The unutterable fool!" he exclaimed, "to part from such a woman as Laura Romeyn for any cause save death." "Well, hang it all! if he's a fool that's his business.
I've had my eye on him for some time, and I'm about satisfied he's trying to do right. But it is difficult to know what to do for one with his ugly reputation. I will see what can be done, however." That same evening chilly autumn winds were blowing without, and Mr. Growther's passion for a wood fire upon the hearth was an indulgence to which Haldane no longer objected.
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