'Have I not said?' he asked.
"Something in this stern honesty seemed to affect the father. His
face turned away and it was the other's voice which was next heard.
A change had taken place in it and it sounded almost mellow as it
gave form to these words:
"'Alpheus, we have been friends. You shall have two weeks in which
to think over my demand and decide. If at the end of that time you
have not returned to domestic life you may expect another visit from
me which can not fail of consequences. You know my temper when
roused. Do not force me into a position which will cause us both
endless regret.'
"Perhaps the father answered; perhaps he did not. The children
heard nothing further, but they witnessed the gloom with which he
rode away to the White House the next day. Remembering the general's
threat, they imagined in their childish hearts that their father had
gone to give up his post and newly acquired honors. But he returned
at night without having done so, and from that day on carried his
head higher and showed himself more and more the master, both at home
and abroad.
"But he was restless, very restless, and possibly to allay a great
mental uneasiness, he began having some changes made in the house;
changes which occupied much of his time and with which he never
seemed satisfied.
Pages:
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275