So now I know that I am an old man."
But later a feeling of peace took possession of his heart. "Yes," he
said, "I am an old man. The world is not my affair any more. I belong
to yesterday, with its triumphs and its failures; I must share in the
glory, such as it is, of what has been done. The future is in the
hands of this child, sound asleep by my side. It is in your hands,
Anna Barly, and yours, Thomas Frye. But you must do better than I did,
and those with whom I quarreled. To youth is given the burden and the
pain. Only the old are happy to-day.
"Children, children, what will become of you?"
When Mr. Jeminy, with Juliet in his arms, strode in through Mrs.
Grumble's door, Mrs. Wicket rose to her feet, her hands pressed to her
bosom with delight and alarm. Mr. Jeminy gave Juliet to her mother.
"Take the child home," he said. Then with timid, hesitant steps, he
approached Mrs. Grumble's bed.
"You've been a long time coming," she said. "I'm tired."
"I'm here now," replied Mr. Jeminy; "I am not going away any more.
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