Page:The New Arcadia (Tucker).djvu/138

128 He stopped on the threshold, holding the door in his hand. He looked hard and long at the sick woman, who was gazing in wonderment upon him. The boy hesitated, blushed scarlet, and stood toying with the flowers as if doubting whether to flee or to stand his ground.

"Do you not know this person?" inquired Gwyneth.

"Course I do. Her's my mother."

"Are you not glad?"

"That depends."

"Depends upon what?"

"Whether she's gived up the drink."

"Your mother is filled with remorse for all her past doings. She is going to live a new life in this sweet garden, and wants you to help her."

Slowly the lad drew towards the mother's side, and, kneeling down, showered kisses upon the weeping face.

The next day the grandmother joined them, and the next the father.

Removed from all special temptation, the four established themselves permanently and happily beside the lake.

"At the least," said the doctor to himself, after paying the household a visit, "I have set that little man on his feet again, and led one lost woman to value the 'flesh and blood' she so lightly sold for a five-pound note. Undoubtedly the land can do wonders. Some of the most diseased trees of the city merely require careful transplanting."