Vaguely afraid, he hung about, looking so wretched that he was a
piteous sight; and it cut his father to the heart to spend such a
last day together. Mayhap the Captain could hardly have held out all
that second day, if he had not passed his word to his brother.
The travellers were to set off at six in the morning, to meet the
earliest train: and it was not till nine o'clock at night, when the
four elder ones said good-night, that the Captain, following them out
of the room, laid his hand on Henry as the others went up-stairs, and
said, "Henry, have you nothing to say to me?"
Henry leant against the baluster and sobbed, not knowing what else to
do.
"You can't be more grieved than I am to have such a last day
together," said his father, laying his hand on the yellow head; "but
I can't help it, you see. If you will do such things, it is my duty
to make you repent of them."
Hal threw himself almost double over the rail, and something was
heard about "sorry," and "never."
"Poor little lad!" said his father aloud to himself; "he is cut up
enough now; but how am I to know if his sorrow is good for anything?"
"O Papa! I'll never do such a thing again!"
"I wish I knew that, Hal," said the Captain, sitting down on the
stairs, and taking him between his knees.
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