Page:Dramas 2.pdf/140

any thing happened? Where is my father? They tell me he has gone from home for a short time: where is he gone?

MRS. ARDEN.

Yes, yes; he is gone from home. This house is not his home at present. (Bursting into tears and falling on his neck).

YOUNG ARDEN.

My dearest mother! why this excess of grief? Where is he gone to? For God's sake! where is he gone to?

MRS. ARDEN.

He is gone—they have put him—he is gone——

YOUNG ARDEN.

To prison?

MRS. ARDEN.

Even so, boy! thou hast guessed it. But, oh, think not hardly of him! He has been misled; he has been imprudent.

YOUNG ARDEN.

Think hardly of him, mother! I would not think hardly of him, though I were turned to the streets for his sake, and left to beg my bread from door to door.

MRS. ARDEN.

Oh, my child! what hast thou to go through!