It was prudent, she thought, that Katie and Charley should be kept apart.

Prudent! was it not even imperative on her to save her child from such a fate?
But then, when she saw the rosy cheek grow pale by degrees, as she watched the plump little arms grow gradually thin and wan, as those high spirits fell, and that voice which had ever been so frequent in the house and so clear,--when the sound of it became low and rare, then her heart would misgive her, and she would all but resolve to take the only step which she knew would bring a bright gleam on her child's face, and give a happy tone to her darling's voice.
During the earlier portion of these days, Katie had with eager constancy reiterated her request that Charley should be asked to Hampton; but of a sudden her prayers ceased.

She spoke no more of Charley, asked no longer after his coming, ceased even to inquire frequently of his welfare.

But yet, when his name was mentioned, she would open wide her bright eyes, would listen with all her ears, and show only too plainly to one who watched her as a mother only can watch, what were the thoughts which filled her heart.
'Linda,' she had said one night, as they sat in their room, preparing themselves for bed, 'Linda, why does not mamma invite Charley to come down to Hampton ?' 'Oh! I don't know,' said Linda; who, however, if she did not know, was not far wrong in the guess she made.

'I suppose she thinks he'd be ashamed to show himself after having been in prison.' 'Ashamed! Why should he be ashamed after so long?
Didn't you hear Harry say that the same thing often happens to young men?
Is he never to come here again?
Dear Linda, I know you know; do tell me.' 'Well, I'm sure I do not know, if that's not the reason.' 'Oh! Linda, dear Linda, yes, you do,' said Katie, throwing herself on her knees, resting her arms on her sister's lap, and looking up wistfully into her sister's face.