There was an abandonment in his whole attitude; an air of grief about him that affected me with pity and tenderness.
"Poor child!" I sighed.

"His heart is almost broken.

I ought to have said yes or no; and then all would have been settled." "Come," said I, after a few moments, reaching my hand towards the child--"let us go down and look out for father.

He will be home soon." I spoke kindly and cheerfully.

But he neither moved, looked up, nor gave the smallest sign that he heard me.
"Oh, well," said I, with some impatience in my voice--"it doesn't matter at all.