She'll be a good girl. She's promised me. It's John I'm afraid for.
If only he can keep from drink. Will you try and help him, Sidney?'
There was a terrible earnestness of appeal in the look she fixed
upon him. Sidney replied that he would hold nothing more sacred than
the charge she gave him.
'It'll be easier for them to live,' continued the feeble voice.
'I've been ill so long, and there's been so much expense. Amy'll be
earning something before long.'
'Don't trouble,' Sidney answered. 'They shall never want as long as
I live--never!'
'Sidney, come a bit nearer. Do you know anything about _her_?'
He shook his head.
'If ever--if ever she comes back, don't turn away from her--will
you?'
'I would welcome her as I would a sister of my own.'
'There's such hard things in a woman's life. What would a' become of
me, if John hadn't took pity on me! The world's a hard place; I
should be glad to leave it, if it wasn't for them as has to go on in
their trouble. I knew you'd come when I sent Amy. Oh, I feel that
easier in my mind!'
'Why didn't you send long before? No, it's my fault. Why didn't I
come? Why didn't I come?'
There was a footstep in the passage, a slow, uncertain step; then
the door moved a little.
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