Mr Huntingdon's conduct toward Amos was a great grief to his sister, but she felt that she must not openly interfere, and that she could only do her best to make up to her nephew, as far as was possible, for his father's coldness, and look for brighter times, which she felt sure were coming, though as yet scarcely the faintest streak of dawn could be seen on the horizon.  The old butler also was a great comfort to his young master, being most anxious to do everything in his power to undo any evil consequences which his own abrupt outspeaking might have brought upon Amos.  So he encouraged him to persevere in his great purpose, with all his might, assuring him that things would come nicely round in time. Amos shook his head sadly, for he was naturally of a desponding turn; he could see at present little but clouds and thorns before him.  Not that he wavered in his purpose for a moment, or had the least thought of holding back from the work he had set his hand to, even for a time.  But his father's harshness and manifestly abiding displeasure towards himself he found very hard to bear.  Nevertheless he was comforted by the reiterated affirmations of Harry that things were coming nicely round.