Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/117

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IN WHICH OUR HERO COMES UPON THE STAGE
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about ten pounds, heard this, and saw that even the small income we had was thus cut off, he declared he could keep us no longer, and yesterday noon turned us out into the street, although poor mother is yet far from well.

"I should not like to pass through yesterday's experiences again! All the afternoon we tramped about in the hot sun, asking for work, or for lodging on credit; but nothing could we find. Finally, as evening came on, we went to one of the public parks, and passed the night on a bench there. Poor mother! it was the first time in her life she had not a roof to rest under; and although she tried to bear up bravely for my sake, I could hear her sobs as we sat there waiting for the daylight. Ah, thank Heaven, yesterday can never dawn again! I should go wild if it did!"

"Who knows?" said the doctor, smiling inwardly, though his eyes were moist. "Perhaps if yesterday did dawn again, it might be ten times happier than the happiest day you have ever known so far. Besides, how do you know that to-morrow may not be many times worse?"

"Ah, sir, if you would only let me go on this journey, I feel sure that we should never want again. The hundred pounds offered would enable