One
thing is sure--that God is doing his best for _every_ man.
The major sat down and waited.
"I am at my wits' end!" he said, when she entered the room. "I can't
find the fellow! That detective's a muff! He ain't got a trace of him
yet! I must put on another!--Don't you think you had better go home? I
will do what can be done, you may be sure!"
"I _am_ sure," answered Hester. "But mamma is better; so long as I
am away papa will not leave her; and she would rather have papa than a
dozen of me."
"But it must be so dreary for you--here alone all day!" he said, with a
touch of malice.
"I go about among my people," she answered.
"Ah! ah!" he returned. "Then I hope you will be careful what houses you
go into, for I hear the small-pox is in the neighborhood."
"I have just come from a house where it is now," she answered. The major
rose in haste. "--But," she went on, "I have changed all my clothes, and
had a bath since."
The major sat down again.
"My dear young lady!" he said, the roses a little ashy on his
cheek-bones, "do you know what you are about?"
"I hope I do--I _think_ I do" she answered.
"Hope! Think!" repeated the major indignantly.
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