And thou wilt come with us, sweet father, and make us happy by thy presence!" "Ay, child, if thou wilt have the homeless old man who has managed his affairs so ill as to have to start life afresh when he should be thinking of resigning his work into other hands, and passing his old age in peace and--" But Gertrude stopped him with a kiss.
"Thou art not old, father; and I trow before thou art, a peaceful and prosperous old age will be in store for thee.

Whilst Reuben and I live, nothing shall lack to thee that filial love can bestow.

O dearest father! methinks there are bright and happy days before us yet." "I trust so--I trust so, my child, for thee especially.

For thou dost deserve them.

Thou hast been a good daughter, and wilt make a good wife." "My heart misgives me sometimes that I was not always so tender a daughter to poor mother as I fain would have been.