Page 201 - A Little Bush Maid

"Oh! for pity’s sake don’t be cautious, David," the Hermit begged. "T’ll be
calm--anything--only don’t refuse a starving man bread! Davy, tell me!"

"They’re here, old man."

"Here! Can T--will they--?"

"Ah, we’ve got to be careful of you, Jim, old chap," Mr. Linton said.
"You’ve been a very sick man--and you’re not better yet. But they’re only

living on the hope of seeing you--of having you again--of making it up to
you."

"And they believe in me?"

"The boy--Dick--never believed a word against you," Mr. Linton said.
"And your wife--ah, if she doubted, she has paid for it again and again in
tears. You’ll forgive her, Jim?"

"Yes," he said simply. "T’ve been bitter enough God knows, but it all seems

gone. You’ll bring her, Davy?"

But at the word Norah was out of the room, racing along the hall.

Out in the gardens Dick Stephenson dug mightily in the hard soil, and his

mother watched him, listening always. She heard the flying footsteps on the
gravel and turned quickly to meet Norah.

"Mr. Stephenson, he wants you!"

"Ts he worse?" Dick gasped.

"No--T think he’s all right. But he knows everything and he wants you

both!"

Tn his room the Hermit heard the steps in the hall--the light, slow feet, and
the man’s tread, that curbed its impatience, lingering to support them. His