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It occurred to her that she had often left him alone, poor old father! It occurred to her, also, that she understood now what it was to be alone. Had she forgotten him in these two comforted, companioned years? She came in weakly, and looked about. "Dick's in, and gone to bed," said the old man, answering her look. "You're tired, Senath." "I am tired, father."
It flung defiance down at death. It chimed into the lurid sky without a tremor. For one stood beside her in the furnace, and his form was like unto the form of the Son of God. Their eyes met. Why should not Asenath sing? "Senath!" cried the old man out upon the burning bricks; he was scorched now, from his gray hair to his patched boots. The answer came triumphantly,
To be unkind to Aunt 'Titia was bad enough, but to be unkind to Aunt 'Senath! It was the last word in perfidy. "It all depends on what we think of the person, what we may think of the name, Arethusa, dear," said Miss Asenath. "I know you didn't mean it." And Arethusa wept some more, scalding tears of still another sort of penitence: Aunt 'Senath was such a darling!
The crowded street, tired of tipping out little children, had tipped her mother staggering through the broken fence. At the funeral she heard some one say, "How glad Sene must be!" Since that, life had meant three things, her father, the mills, and Richard Cross. "You're a bit put out that the young fellow didn't stay to supper, eh, Senath?" the old man said, laying down his boot. "Put out!
What were you doing, Senath Martyn?" Sene swung slowly back, and sat down. "Amusing myself a little; well, unless somebody died, you said? But I believe I won't talk any more to-night. My head aches. Go home, Del." Del muttered a weak protest at leaving her there alone; but, with her bright face clouded and uncomfortable, went.
Arethusa asked of them all impartially, with enthusiasm. "And yet Aunt 'Liza always says I have no sort of taste! Can't you just see darling Aunt 'Senath in all her white clothes with this lovely rose color next to her?" It was not at all hard for Jessie to imagine the picture after the vivid description she had received of Miss Asenath.
Your old father'll get ye out. Keep up good heart, child! That's it!" "It's no use, father. Don't feel bad, father. I don't mind it very much." He hacked at the timber; he tried to laugh; he bewildered himself with cheerful words. "No more ye needn't, Senath, for it'll be over in a minute. Don't be downcast yet! We'll have ye safe at home before ye know it. Drink a little more water, do now!
Sometimes I'm forced to think that all the training your Aunt 'Titia and I and your Aunt 'Senath have given you has gone for naught. To treat a guest in your own home the way you did Timothy! I was scandalised!! Simply scandalized! But I must say that Timothy behaved like a gentleman."
It was a pleasing prospect held out by Aunt 'Senath, so she took heart and hope immediately. Miss Eliza bent her glasses upon the two conspirators on the sofa. "Don't you be telling Arethusa she would look nice in green, 'Senath, because you know very well she wouldn't. In my day," this severely directed at Arethusa herself, "so much wasn't done for girls that they forgot how to be grateful.
He makes me so mad I could just...." both hands clenched, "and he had on father's clothes!" "I see. But he's worn them before, dear." "I know he has, Aunt 'Senath, and every time he does, it makes me just as mad. He.... He doesn't belong in Father's clothes! They don't suit him at all!" Miss Asenath was silent.
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