“Papa, have you heard nothing of Henry?” asked the little girl anxiously.

“Only that the boy who got started with him on his foolish tramp² got back three days since.”

“Is Tom Murray back, then?”

“Yes; he showed himself more sensible than Henry.”

“Oh, I'm afraid something's happened to him, papa! Why don't you advertise for him, or send out a detective, or something?”

“I will tell you, Jennie,” said Mr. Taylor, laying down the morning paper. “I want your brother to stay away long enough to see his folly³.”

“But perhaps he may get out of money, and not be able to get anything to eat. You wouldn't want him to starve, papa?”

“There isn't much chance of it. If he is in danger of that, he will have sense enough to ask for food, or to write to me for help. I rather hope he will have a hard time.”

“Oh, papa!”

“It will do him good. If I sent for him and brought him back against his will, he would probably start off again when he has a good chance.”

Jennie could not quite follow her father in his reasoning, and was inclined⁴ to think him hard and unfeeling. She missed her brother, who, whatever his faults, treated her tolerably well, and was at any rate a good deal of company, being the only other young person in the house.

Just then the servant entered with three letters, which he laid down beside his master's plate.

Mr. Taylor hastily⁵ scanned⁶ the addresses.

“Here is a letter from Henry,” he said, in a tone⁷ of satisfaction.

“Oh, read it quick, papa!”

This was the letter which Mr. Taylor read aloud, almost too

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