She put her hand upon the hand her sister stretched towards her,
and read on; her voice still faltering and trembling, though she
made an effort to command it when thus interrupted.

'"To part with whom, at any step between the cradle and the grave,
is always sorrowful. O Home, so true to us, so often slighted in
return, be lenient to them that turn away from thee, and do not
haunt their erring footsteps too reproachfully! Let no kind looks,
no well-remembered smiles, be seen upon thy phantom face. Let no
ray of affection, welcome, gentleness, forbearance, cordiality,
shine from thy white head. Let no old loving word, or tone, rise
up in judgment against thy deserter; but if thou canst look harshly
and severely, do, in mercy to the Penitent!"'

'Dear Marion, read no more to-night,' said Grace for she was
weeping.

'I cannot,' she replied, and closed the book. 'The words seem all
on fire!'

The Doctor was amused at this; and laughed as he patted her on the
head.

'What! overcome by a story-book!' said Doctor Jeddler. 'Print and
paper! Well, well, it's all one. It's as rational to make a
serious matter of print and paper as of anything else. But, dry
your eyes, love, dry your eyes. I dare say the heroine has got
home again long ago, and made it up all round - and if she hasn't,
a real home is only four walls; and a fictitious one, mere rags and