People thought me mad , or drunk ; I did n't care , I only wanted to see her once in quiet and try to get her home . I could n't do it then nor afterwards by fair means , and I would n't try force . I wrote to her , promised to forgive her , begged her to come back , or let me keep her honestly somewhere away from me . But she never answered , never came , and I have never tried again . '' `` She was n't worthy of you , Thorn ; you jest forgit her . '' `` I wish I could ! I wish I could ! '' In his voice quivered an almost passionate regret , and a great sob heaved his chest , as he turned his face away to hide the love and longing , still so tender and so strong . `` Do n't say that , Dick ; such fidelity should make us charitable for its own sake . There is always time for penitence , always certainty of pardon . Take heart , Thorn , you may not wait in vain , and she may yet return to you . '' `` I know she will ! I 've dreamed of it , I 've prayed for it ; every battle I come out of safe makes me surer that I was kept for that , and when I 've borne enough to atone for my part of the fault , I 'll be repaid for all my patience , all my pain , by finding her again . She knows how well I love her still , and if there comes a time when she is sick and poor and all alone again , then she 'll remember her old John , then she 'll come home and let me take her in . '' Hope shone in Thorn 's melancholy eyes , and long-suffering , all-forgiving love beautified the rough , brown face , as he folded his arms and bent his gray head on his breast , as if the wanderer were already come . The emotion which Dick scorned to show on his own account was freely manifested for another , as he sniffed audibly , and , boy-like , drew his sleeve across his eyes . But Phil , with the delicate perception of a finer nature , felt that the truest kindness he could show his friend was to distract his thoughts from himself , to spare him any comments , and lessen the embarrassment which would surely follow such unwonted confidence . `` Now I 'll relieve Flint , and he will give you a laugh . Come on , Hiram , and tell us about your Beulah . '' The gentleman addressed had performed his duty by sitting on a fence and `` righting up '' his pockets , to beguile the tedium of his exile .
Before his multitudinous possessions could be restored to their native sphere , XXXXX was himself again , and on his feet .
Beulah Dick Flint Hiram John Phil Thorn exile laugh penitence