Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/128

118 better than I do, an’ always have done. So he’s been faithful to you, for all they said. There ain’t a better man livin’! ‘It’s a long time since I first asked the question,’ he says, ‘but she’s give me the right answer at last.’ And he looks that glad of it.”

“He does? You’re sure he does?”

“Sure? Why, you should a’ seen him when I went into the room! There’s nothing more as I wish for now. I only hope I may live a while longer, to see you forget all your troubles, my dear. He’ll make you happy, will Sidney; he’s got a deal more education than any one else I ever knew, and you’ll suit each other. But you won’t forget all about your old father? You’ll let me come an’ have a talk with you now and then, my dear, just you an’ me together, you know?"

“I shall love you and be grateful to you always, father. You’ve kept a warm heart for me all this time.”

“I couldn’t do nothing else, Clara; you’ve always been what I loved most, and you always will be.”

“If I hadn’t had you to come back to, what would have become of me?”