'But you're coming back to speak to me, when you have seen the gentleman away ?' 'I don't know, mother.' Rob hesitated, and looked down.

'Father--when's he coming home ?' 'Not till two o'clock to-morrow morning.' 'I'll come back, mother dear!' cried Rob.

And passing through the shrill cry of his brothers and sisters in reception of this promise, he followed Mr Carker out.
'What!' said Mr Carker, who had heard this.

'You have a bad father, have you ?' 'No, Sir!' returned Rob, amazed.

'There ain't a better nor a kinder father going, than mine is.' 'Why don't you want to see him then ?' inquired his patron.
'There's such a difference between a father and a mother, Sir,' said Rob, after faltering for a moment.