‘Papa,’ cried soft-voiced Susie, ‘come back and let us talk all together like one family. Come back to poor John’s lodgings. We are all one family, after all. We are all friends. Oh, come back, come back, papa!’ ‘He has got ladies there--the girl he is going to marry. Never, never! I’m not going to have anything to do with him. I’m glad to have seen you, Susie. God bless you, you’ve got a sweet face. You’re like a sister of mine that died young. If you ever see your mother--I suppose you see your mother sometimes?--you can tell her---- Well, perhaps I gave her reason to hate me and give up my name. You can tell her she’ll never be troubled anymore with me.’ ‘Oh, papa!’ Susie drew a long breath and held him firmly by the arm. ‘Here is John. You must speak to John.’ John had come hurriedly up to the other side, having followed from his house, and now put his hand also upon his father’s arm. ‘I can’t let you out of my sight,’ he said, breathlessly. ‘We must understand everything, we must settle everything now.’ ‘Oh, listen to him, papa: it’s not his fault; let us consult together; we are all one family. Surely, surely we are all friends,’ Susie cried. May stood between his children with a sullenness unusual to it coming over his face. He shook off John’s hold pettishly. ‘I told you he clutched like a policeman,’ he said. ‘I don’t mind you, Susie, you’re natural. If I had you with me, I might perhaps---- But it’s no use thinking of that. You can tell your mother that whatever happens she shall never be troubled with me.’ ‘Father,’ said John, with a shudder at the word, ‘we none of us want to neglect our duties. Now that you are here, you can’t disappear again. We belong to each other whether we wish it or not. You have a claim upon us, and we--we have a claim upon you. Come back. Susie, get him to come back.’ A look of panic came upon May’s face. He shook them off from either hand. ‘Don’t let us have a row in the street,’ he cried. ‘You’ll bring all the policemen about. And when a man has once been in trouble they always think it’s his fault. Let me go.’ ‘Not without telling us where to find you, at least,’ said John. ‘Oh, papa, papa!’ said Susie. ‘Don’t go, don’t go.’ ‘We’ll have all the policemen in the place about,’ May said, looking round him with alarm. Mr. Cattley had stood by all the time saying nothing. He came forward now, and drew John aside. ‘Jack, will you leave it in my hands?’ he said. ‘I know everything, more perhaps than you do. And you’re not in a condition to judge calmly. You know you can trust me.’