I'm sure papa would want you to," and she
looked at Mr. Ford, who was nervously tearing open the envelope. His
brother was watching him anxiously, but it was not a kindly look on
Uncle Isaac's face.
At first, when it seemed as if something seriously might have happened
to Will, the elderly man was rather alarmed, thinking perhaps he might
be blamed. Now that a communication had come from the youth, seeming to
indicate that all was well with him, his former employer was ready to
deal harshly with him. He was even meditating what form of punishment
could be applied, and he planned harder tasks for him, in case his
father should send Will back to the cotton mill in Atlanta.
"Yes, stay, by all means," spoke the younger Mr. Ford, in rather
absent-minded tones, as he flipped open the letter. "We have no secrets
from you girls, and if you are going to Florida, and Will is in that
neighborhood, he can take a run over and see you. Let's see now; what
does the rascal say?"
There was a caressing note in the father's voice in spite of the
somewhat stern look on his face, and he slowly read the letter, half
aloud.
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