But, Sally and mother--' He stopped, and they waited.

'Mother, I have not told you all,' he resumed slowly, still looking on the floor between his knees.

'Sad as what you see of me is, there's worse behind.' His mother gazed upon him in grieved suspense, and Sally went and leant upon the bureau, listening for every sound, and sighing.

Suddenly she turned round, saying, 'Let them come, I don't care! Philip, tell the worst, and take your time.' 'Well, then,' said the unhappy Phil, 'I am not the only one in this mess.
Would to Heaven I were! But--' 'O, Phil!' 'I have a wife as destitute as I.' 'A wife ?' said his mother.
'Unhappily!' 'A wife! Yes, that is the way with sons!' 'And besides--' said he.
'Besides! O, Philip, surely--' 'I have two little children.' 'Wife and children!' whispered Mrs.Hall, sinking down confounded.
'Poor little things!' said Sally involuntarily.
His mother turned again to him.

'I suppose these helpless beings are left in Australia ?' 'No.