He knew his son well enough to
have a pretty shrewd idea that this was what Ernest would wish himself,
and perhaps as much for this reason as for any other he was determined to
keep up the connection, provided it did not involve Ernest's coming to
Battersby nor any recurring outlay.
When the time approached for him to leave prison, his father and mother
consulted as to what course they should adopt.
"We must never leave him to himself," said Theobald impressively; "we can
neither of us wish that."
"Oh, no! no! dearest Theobald," exclaimed Christina. "Whoever else
deserts him, and however distant he may be from us, he must still feel
that he has parents whose hearts beat with affection for him no matter
how cruelly he has pained them."
"He has been his own worst enemy," said Theobald. "He has never loved us
as we deserved, and now he will be withheld by false shame from wishing
to see us. He will avoid us if he can."
"Then we must go to him ourselves," said Christina, "whether he likes it
or not we must be at his side to support him as he enters again upon the
world."
"If we do not want him to give us the slip we must catch him as he leaves
prison.
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