"But, papa, have you well considered? Oh! it seems so terrible, so shocking," said Margaret, suddenly bursting into tears. The one staid foundation of her home, of her idea of her beloved father, seemed reeling and rocking. What could she say? What was to be done? The sight of her distress made Mr. Hale nerve himself, in order to try and comfort her. He swallowed down the dry choking sobs which had been heaving up from his heart hitherto, and going to his bookcase he took down a volume, which he had often been reading lately, and from which he thought he had derived strength to enter upon the course in which he was now embarked.
"Listen, dear Margaret," said he, putting one arm round her waist. She took his hand in hers and grasped it tight, but she could not lift up her head; nor indeed could she attend to what he read, so great was her internal agitation.

'But, papa, have you considered? Oh! it seems so terrible, so shocking,' said Margaret, suddenly bursting into tears. The staid foundation of her home, of her idea of her beloved father, seemed reeling and rocking. What could she say? What was to be done?
Her distress made Mr. Hale nerve himself. He swallowed down the dry sobs which had been heaving up from his heart, and going to his bookcase, took down a volume which had lately given him strength.
'Listen, dear Margaret,' said he, putting one arm round her waist. She grasped his hand, but she could not lift up her head; nor indeed could she attend to what he read, so great was her agitation.
