With a cry of joy Mrs.Ellis caught him in her arms, and, before he was aware of their presence, he found himself half smothered by her and Esther.
They had never been separated before his trip to Warmouth; and their reunion, under such circumstances, was particularly affecting.

None of them could speak for a few moments, and Charlie clung round his mother's neck as though he would never loose his hold.

"Mother, mother!" was all he could utter; yet in that word was comprised a world of joy and affection.
Esther soon came in for her share of caresses; then Charlie inquired, "Where's father ?" "In here," said Mrs.Ellis, leading the way to an adjoining room.

"I don't think he will know you--perhaps he may." In one corner of the apartment, propped up in a large easy chair by a number of pillows, sat poor Mr.Ellis, gazing vacantly about the room and muttering to himself.

His hair had grown quite white, and his form was emaciated in the extreme; there was a broad scar across his forehead, and his dull, lustreless eyes were deeply sunken in his head.