He had nursed and loved, and petted
and spoiled her. And she _would_ care for a man whom he disliked!
But here the old man was mistaken. He did not dislike Harry Armstrong.
He admired and honoured him. He almost loved him for his gallant devotion
to his duty. He would have been proud of him for a son--but not for a
son-in-law. He would not have minded adopting him, or doing anything _but_
giving him Adela. There was a great deal of pride left in the old soldier,
and that must be taken out of him. We shall all have to thank God for the
whip of scorpions which, if needful, will do its part to drive us into the
kingdom of heaven.
"How happy the dear old man will be," I said to myself, "when he just
yields this last castle of selfishness, and walks unhoused into the new
childhood, of which God takes care!"
And this end came sooner than I had looked for it.
I had made up my mind that it would be better for me to go.
When I told Adela that I must go, she gave me a look in which lay the
whole story in light and in tears.
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