50
I will speak to you to-morrow.'
Felix left him, very grave and subdued. He buried himself in his tasks for the next day, hardly looked up or smiled at little Bernard's most earnest attempts at a game of play, and had not a word for even Cherry, only when Wilmet begged anxiously to know if he thought Papa worse, he answered that he believed not particularly so.
Alda was sent to carry some tea to her father that evening. As she set it down on the table before him, he said gently, 'My dear, I want to know what has been passing among you and your school-fellows about Felix.'
'Oh, nothing, Papa,' said Alda rather hastily. 'Some nonsense or other is always going on.'
'Very true, no doubt; nor do I wish to be informed of general nonsense, but of that which concerns you. What have you been saying or hearing said about Felix?'
'Oh, it's nonsense, Papa. Some of the girls will say anything disagreeable.'
'You need not have any scruples on Felix's account, Alda; I know exactly what he has done.' I want you to tell me what is being said-- or you have allowed to be said--about it.'
'That horrible Miss Price!' was all the answer be got.
He sat upright--laid on Alda's wrist a long bony burning hand, whose clasp she did not forget for weeks, and forcing her to look at him, said, 'Did you allow it to be believed that your brother Felix was a gambler?'
'Papa! I never said so!' cried Alda, beginning to sob.
'Command yourself, Alda; I am not fit for a scene, and I may not be able to speak to you many times again.'
These words--far more new and startling to Alda than to her brother-- appalled her into quietness.
'What did you say, Alda? or was it the deceit of silence?'
She hung her head, but spoke at last.
'I only said boys had ways and means! They did tease and plague so. I do believe Carry Price counts every grape that goes into this house-- and they would know how I got my new music--and little Robina would tell--and th