Family Cares by W.W. Jacobs

Mr. Jernshaw, who was taking the opportunity of a lull in business to / weigh out pound packets of sugar, knocked his hands together and stood / waiting for the order of the tall bronzed man who had just entered the / shop-a well-built man of about forty-who was regarding him with blue / eyes set in quizzical wrinkles.

"What, Harry! " exclaimed Mr. Jernshaw, in response to the wrinkles. / "Harry Barrett!"

"That's me," said the other, extending his hand. "The rolling stone / come home covered with moss."

Mr. Jernshaw, somewhat excited, shook hands, and led the way into the / little parlour behind the shop.

"Fifteen years," said Mr. Barrett, sinking into a chair, "and the old / place hasn't altered a bit."

"Smithson told me he had let that house in Webb Street to a Barrett," / said the grocer, regarding him, "but I never thought of you. I suppose / you've done well, then?"

Mr. Barrett nodded. "Can't grumble," he said modestly. "I've got enough / to live on. Melbourne's all right, but I thought I'd come home for the / evening of my life."

"Evening! " repeated his friend. "Forty-three," said Mr. Barrett, / gravely. "I'm getting on."

"You haven't changed much," said the grocer, passing his hand through / his spare grey whiskers. "Wait till you have a wife and seven / youngsters. Why, boots alone -- "

Mr. Barrett uttered a groan intended for sympathy. "Perhaps you could / help me with the furnishing," he said, slowly. "I've never had a place / of my own before, and I don't know much about it."

"Anything I can do," said his friend. "Better not get much yet; you / might marry, and my taste mightn't be hers."

Mr. Barrett laughed. "I'm not marrying," he said, with conviction.

"Seen anything of Miss Prentice yet? " inquired Mr. Jernshaw.

"No," said the other, with a slight flush. "Why?"

"She's still single," said the grocer.

"What of it? " demanded Mr. Barrett, with warmth. "What of it?"

"Nothing," said Mr. Jernshaw, slowly. "Nothing; only I -- "

"Well? " said the other, as he paused.

"I-there was an idea that you went to Australia to-to better your / condition," murmured the grocer. "That-that you were not in a position / to marry-that -- "

"Boy and girl nonsense," said Mr. Barrett, sharply. "Why, it's fifteen / years ago. I don't suppose I should know her if I saw her. Is her / mother alive?"