'Never mind, Dick, old man,' said Harry kindly, 'it's all UP.'
'All up?' cried Dick.
'Yes, I know why you went to Yarraman; but it's been a wasted journey,
Dick. Shine was arrested a couple of hours ago, an' she's broken
hearted.'
Dick received the news in silence, and they walked homewards together.
'What'll I do with this?' asked Dick at Hardy's gate, producing a parcel
from under his vest.
'Hide it away, an' keep it dark. Not a word must be said to hurt her.'
'Good,' answered the boy. 'I know a cunnin' holler tree. So long, Harry.'
'So long, mate.'
Dick liked the word mate; it touched him nearly with its fine hint of
equality and community of interests; it seemed to suit their romantic
conspiracy, too, and sent him away with a little glow of pride in his
heart.
When Harry re-entered his own home he found his mother seated as he had
left her. She arose and approached him, placing a hand on either
shoulder.
'Well, my boy?'
'Well, mother?
'You have seen her?'
'Yes. I've taken her to the homestead. She is dazed. It seems as if she
no longer cared.'
'It will pass, Henry.'
'You think my love will pass?'
'All this seeming great trouble.'
'It'll pass, mother, if she comes back to me; never unless.'
'The sins of the fathers,' sighed Mrs. Hardy as he turned from her to his
own room, like a wounded animal seeking darkness.
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