In Sight of St. Paul's — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~ BROKEN DOWN. 99 Tom went over to him, and touched him on the arm. . ‘“Well, dad ?”? Mr. Chichester turned, his face working with agi- tation. ‘“Tom,’’ he said, speaking with the utmost diffi- culty, “‘since I have known who is really guilty, since I knew my life was wrecked by the love of a thank- less son, and that a gulf of shame and hideous dis- erace is between us and your brother, life has been a misery to me. Only one thing has kept me from——”’ He paused, shuddered, and passed his hand in a be- wildered way over his eyes. ‘“‘It was the hope of ‘see- ing you again. Harryis gone. I don’t know where he is. Poor Harry! Poor Harry!’ | And the tears rolled down his wan face. “Dad!?’ exclaimed Tom, almost crying himself. “Over and over again have I repeated to myself what I should say to you if we met,’’ continued Mr. Chichester, shaking in every limb.” ‘‘Your dead mother put the words into my heart, Tom. I knew them yesterday, I knew them as I came in the cab; but I can’t speak them now! I can’t speak them now! They’re gone, Tom,’’ looking up at his son in help- less agony. ‘‘What shall I say? For God’s sake, tell me! What can I say to you, my boy? What shall I do?”’ Tom was deeply moved at this change in the father Gomichbooks (E(o)