GOOD RESOLUTIONS. 33

 The mute look, half nervous but so full of gladness,
smote Mr. Gilbert's heart.
 Was it possible that so slight an action of his could
move his son ? Well, well, perhaps that old bachelor
friend was right after all. At all events, he would try
the effect of Mr. Goodall's suggestion for once, and
see if letting Jack know his feelings for him would
have a good influence on him.
 "Children," he began half hesitatingly, we have
all felt rather miserable these past few days, think-
ing of the parting that was so near."
 "Polly is very miserable," said that young lady in
 a doleful voice, sighing profoundly.
 Polly does not like to part with Jack, I know,"
said her father, and father does not like it
either."
 Here a glance at his son's face showed Mr. Gilbert
that on it was portrayed a most genuine look of utter
astonishment.
 "Jack," he said half reproachfully, can you doubt
that it would pain me to part with you ?"
 Jack looked as if he had doubted the fact very
much indeed, and feeling that his father would cer-
tainly read this in his eyes, cast them down confus-
edly in a most guilty manner.
 If you have doubted my affection," said the proud
father, with difficulty restraining his emotion, "you
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