THE PRODIGAL SON.
BY DUTTON COOK, AUTHOR OF “PAUL FOSTER’S DAUGHTER,” &c.
“A lytel misgoyng in the gynning causeth mykel errour in the end.”—Chaucer’s “Testament of Love.”
CHAPTER V. THE PASSING BELL.
“And his son? Mr. Wilford arrived in time? All was made up between them?” Violet asked, with anxiety.
The doctor shook his head mournfully.
“Poor Mr. Wilford!” she went on. “How sad this will make him. Surely he deserved to be forgiven. Surely his long absence from home was sufficient atonement for all his early faults and misdeeds. But perhaps he did not arrive in time?”
“They met,” said Mr. Fuller; “it may be that it would have been better if they had not. I never thought the old man would have been so hard with him. I really believed, in spite of all he said beforehand, that he would relent when he saw his son. I am sure the sight of him was enough to soften anyone. Poor Wilford!”
“Has he changed much since he went away? Is he ill?”
“I never saw any man so altered. You recollect how gay, and handsome, and frank he was seven years ago? You were quite a child, Vi, then, but still I think you must remember him. I know he was very good and kind to you children—very fond of you—always ready to romp with you; why he gave Madge almost her first doll, you remember. Poor fellow! what trouble he took about it, sending up to London expressly for it. Now, he looks years and years older, so thin and gaunt, all his old bright manner gone. Such a worn, white face, such wild-looking eyes, such long, tangled hair and beard. Poor Wilford! I never saw anyone so wrecked, and broken, and wretched.”
“He was always a favourite of yours, father.”
“He is so still, Vi. I can’t help it. I did all I could for him in that dreadful business years ago. I never understood it clearly, but I take for granted that the current story about his quarrel with his father was the true one. The old man was furious then, and he remained unforgiving to the last. Yet I am certain the poor boy must have had deep and cruel provocation. He was always violent and headstrong, and very passionate. Both father and mother spoilt him so when he was a child. Yet I am sure he is of a kind and affectionate nature—I am sure he had in his heart great sorrow, great love for his father.”
“Was the old man sensible when they met? Did he know his son?”
“Yes, they were a long time together, holding quite a long conversation; I was in hopes that all was going well between them. Then suddenly