" The young man sank upon a chair,
covering his face.
"Nay, boy, it is not wise," said Darrel, tenderly. "Take thought
of it--thou'rt young. The time is near when thy father can make
restitution, ay, an' acknowledge his sin before the world. All
very near to him, saving thyself, are dead. Now, whatever comes,
it can do thee no harm."
"But I care not for disgrace; and often you have told me that I
should live and speak the truth, even though it burn me to the
bone."
"So have I, boy, so have I; but suppose it burn others to the bone.
It will burn thy wife; an' thy children, an' thy children's
children, and them that have reared thee, an' it would burn thy
father most of all."
Trove was utterly silenced. His father was bent on keeping his own
disgrace.
"Mind thee, boy, the law o' truth is great, but the law o' love is
greater. A lie for the sake o' love--think o' that a long time,
think until thy heart is worn with all fondness an' thy soul is
ready for its God, then judge it."
"But when he makes confession I shall know, and go to him, and
stand by has side," the young man remarked.
"Nay, boy, rid thy mind o' that. If ye were to hear of his crime,
ye'd never know it was thy father's.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208