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19. Rob Makes a Resolution
When Rob opened the front door he came face to face with Nell, who gave
an exclamation of joy and threw herself into his arms.
"
Oh, Rob!" she cried, "I'm so glad you've come. We have all been
dreadfully worried about you, and mother--"
"
"
Well, what about mother?" inquired the boy, anxiously, as she paused.
She's been very ill, Rob; and the doctor said to-day that unless we heard
from you soon he would not be able to save her life. The uncertainty
about you is killing her."
Rob stood stock still, all the eager joy of his return frozen into horror at
the thought that he had caused his dear mother so much suffering.
"
"
Where is she, Nell?" he asked, brokenly.
In her room. Come; I'll take you to her."
Rob followed with beating heart, and soon was clasped close to his
mother's breast.
"
Oh, my boy--my dear boy!" she murmured, and then for very joy and
love she was unable to say more, but held him tight and stroked his hair
gently and kissed him again and again.
Rob said little, except to promise that he would never again leave home
without her full consent and knowledge. But in his mind he contrasted
the love and comfort that now surrounded him with the lonely and
unnatural life he had been leading and, boy though he was in years, a
mighty resolution that would have been creditable to an experienced man
took firm root in his heart.
He was obliged to recount all his adventures to his mother and, although
he made light of the dangers he had passed through, the story drew
many sighs and shudders from her.
When luncheon time arrived he met his father, and Mr. Joslyn took
occasion to reprove his son in strong language for running away from
home and leaving them filled with anxiety as to his fate. However, when
he saw how happy and improved in health his dear wife was at her boy's
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