It was perhaps March or April when Austin went to his uncle's to spend a
few hours. As soon as he arrived, they brought him Amy's latest letter. It
bore a special message for him.

"Is Austin there?" she asked. "If he is tell him to come home. We all want
him so much, and Papa says he wishes he would come," and continuing she
told how much he was needed.

Austin listened while they read the letter to him, and all the family
watched his face to see what he would think about it. He sat quietly a
while, a great light coming into his face. This was what he had been
waiting for, and praying for--word that his father wanted him to come. He
knew that if he went home without such word, his father would taunt him
about it, but that if he waited till his father humbled himself ever so
little he would be spared that trial.

School-time for the spring was nearly over, and Austin, in the quick mental
survey which he took of his affairs while the letter was being read,
thought he could easily sacrifice the few remaining weeks. If he could have
followed his own impulses, he would have set off that night, but such a
step was not practical.

"I shall go home at once, Uncle John. I have thought for a long time that I
ought to go, and this letter makes me certain."

"I am glad that is your decision, Austin, and while we shall miss you, your
aunt and I shall feel much better satisfied about the children if you are
with them. I have not liked the way Henry has been managing them. It is not
a good thing for children to have too many homes," replied Mr. Moore.