This must be
fulfilled, and then--one thing was certain; they would never again
separate.
"The sooner the better," said David. "It shall be the visit to our
uncle and cousins in Indiana. You will come with me as far as
Harrisburg; it may be easier to part there than here. And our new
neighbors, the Bradleys, will want your help for a day or two,
after getting home."
"It is less than death," Jonathan answered, "and why should it seem
to be more? We must think of father and mother, and all those
twelve years; now I know what the burden was."
"And we have never really borne any part of it! Father must have
been right in forcing us to promise."
Every day the discussion was resumed, and always with the same
termination. Familiarity with the inevitable step gave them
increase of courage; yet, when the moment had come and gone, when,
speeding on opposite trains, the hills and valleys multiplied
between them with terrible velocity, a pang like death cut to the
heart of each, and the divided life became a chill, oppressive
dream.
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