The troubles I have gone thro’!” Then he turn'd
His face and pass'd — unhappy that I am!
But now, sir, let me have my boy, for you
Will make him hard, and he will learn to slight
His father's memory; and take Dora back,
And let all this be as it was before.’
So Mary said, and Dora hid her face
By Mary. There was silence in the room;
And all at once the old man burst in sobs;
‘I have been to blame — to blame. I have kill'd my son.
I have kill'd him — but I loved him — my dear son.
May God forgive me! — I have been to blame.
Kiss me, my children.’
Then they clung about
The old man's neck, and kiss'd him many times,
And all the man was broken with remorse ;
And all his love came back a hundred fold;
And for three hours he sobb'd o'er William's child
Thinking of William.
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