The twins were sick, too, and there were Nellie and Minnie and the
little baby, and mother not strong enough to work even if she had time
to leave the children. Father? Well, that's just where Miss Horton's
help was needed. Father had worked here in the factory, out in the
shipping-room, but they'd discharged him several weeks ago. Yes, father
had been discharged before, many times before, and had been taken back
again. This time they would not let him come back though he had begged
and pleaded and promised faithfully never to touch the drink again. No,
no, father did not get drunk very often, only once in a while, and he
was never cross or ugly. He was the kindest and best of fathers only he
drank a little just once in a while. Wouldn't Miss Horton please;
please, say a word for father and get them to take him back? Miss
Horton hesitated for a moment, looked into the eyes so like Richard's,
then promised that she would.
She certainly kept her promise and said, not one word, but many, in her
efforts to have Marie's father reinstated in his former position. The
man was a stranger to her, she had never seen him, never even heard his
name before, but for Marie's sake she pleaded his cause most earnestly.
The same reply met her every turn:
"Not a better man in the place when he was sober, the very best worker
we've got.
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