Sewell would not have justified him in. "I will go with you, and
explain all the circumstances to your friends, in case there should
be any misunderstanding--though in that event I should have to ask
you to be my guest till Monday." Here the unhappy man laid hold of
the sheep, which could not bring him greater condemnation than the
lamb.
"I guess they won't know anything about it," said Lemuel, with
whatever intention.
It seemed hardened indifference to the minister, and he felt it his
disagreeable duty to say, "I am afraid they will. I read of it in
the newspaper this morning, and I'm afraid that an exaggerated
report of your misfortunes will reach Willoughby Pastures, and alarm
your family."
A faint pallor came over the boy's face, and he stood again in his
impenetrable, rustic silence. The voice that finally spoke from, it
said, "I guess I don't want to go home, then."
"You _must_ go home!" said the minister, with more of imploring
than imperiousness in his command. "What will they make of your
prolonged absence?"
"I sent a postal to mother this morning. They lent me one."
"But what will you do here, without work and without means? I wish
you to go home with me--I feel responsible for you--and remain with
me till you can hear from your mother. I'm sorry you came to Boston--it's
no place for you, as you must know by this time, and I am sure your
mother will agree with me in desiring your return.
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