"
"Well, my child," replied the old gentleman, with a smile. "I've
brought here a heart full of trouble and wickedness many a time,
so you need not fear hurting the garden."
"But I fear I shall pain and shock you."
"I hope you will. I'm going to feel with and for you. What's the
good of my sitting here like a post?"
"Well," said Ida, desperately, "I promised to tell you everything,
and I will. If there is any chance for me I'll then know it, for
you will not deceive me. Somehow, what I am and what I have to say
seemed in such sad contrast with you and your garden that I became
afraid. You asked about my parents. My father is a very unhappy
man. He seems to have lost hope and courage. I now begin to see
that I have been chiefly to blame for this. I do nothing for his
comfort. Indeed, I have been so occupied with myself and my own
pleasure that I have given him little thought. He does not spend
much of his time at home, and when I saw him he was always tired,
sad, and moody. He seemed to possess nothing that could minister
to my pride and pleasure save money, and I took that freely, with
scarcely even thanks in return.
"I don't like to speak against my mother, but truth compels me to
add that she acts much in the same way.
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