24 DOGGED JACK.

care for me; he has never loved me since mother
died,"-here there was a great faltering in the boy's
voice,-"if he did, he would never send me away
from home, away from him and you."
 But, Jacko, you said at first you would just as
 soon go," answered Polly in an aggrieved tone.
 "I said that, because I was angry; I can't bear to
 go away from you, and home, and father, and the-
 worst-is," sobbed Jack, now fairly in tears, "to feel
 that father is glad to get rid of me, and I do-love
 -him-very much," and here our hero quite broke
 down.
 Then the little sister soothed and comforted him
as only affectionate little sisters can, and Mr. Gilbert
softly moved away from the seat, feeling that it
was not quite fair to listen to his children's con-
fidences.
 What he had heard had utterly astounded him.
 He had no idea that his son really possessed much
 heart, or any attachment to himself, and this sudden
 knowledge surprised and touched him. There was
 a trembling about the stern mouth as Mr. Gilbert
 walked down the avenue and out into the country
 road.
 Then, after all, this son of his, with the cold, defiant
 manner, and many misdemeanours, did care for his
father! This was a great consolation, but at the