You saw that he was habitually a
grave and silent man; all the more attractive his aspect when, as
now, he seemed to rest from thought and give expression to his
natural kindliness. In the matter of attire he was no longer as
careful as he used to be; the clothes he wore had done more than
just service, and hung about him unregarded.
'Clara upstairs?' he asked, when he had noticed Hewett's look.
'Yes; she's lying down. May's been troublesome all the morning. But
it was something else I meant.'
And John began to speak of Amy's ill-doing. He had always in some
degree a sense of shame when he spoke privately with Sidney, always
felt painfully the injustice involved in their relations. At present
he could not look Kirkwood in the face, and his tone was that of a
man who abases himself to make confession of guilt.
Sidney was gravely concerned. It was his habit to deal with the
children's faults good-naturedly, to urge John not to take a sombre
view of their thoughtlessness; but the present instance could not be
made light of. Secretly he had always expected that the girl would
be a source of more serious trouble the older she grew.
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