'Eh!' said he, as she came in, 'to think of th' oud gentleman

dropping off as he did! Yo' might ha' knocked me down wi' a straw

when they telled me. "Mr. Hale?" said I; "him as was th' parson?"

"Ay," said they. "Then," said I, "there's as good a man gone as

ever lived on this earth, let who will be t' other!" And I came

to see yo', and tell yo' how grieved I were, but them women in

th' kitchen wouldn't tell yo' I were there. They said yo' were

ill,--and butter me, but yo' dunnot look like th' same wench. And

yo're going to be a grand lady up i' Lunnon, aren't yo'?' 'Not a grand lady,' said Margaret, half smiling.

'Well! Thornton said--says he, a day or two ago, "Higgins, have

yo' seen Miss Hale?" "No," says I; "there's a pack o' women who

won't let me at her. But I can bide my time, if she's ill. She

and I knows each other pretty well; and hoo'l not go doubting

that I'm main sorry for th' oud gentleman's death, just because I

can't get at her and tell her so." And says he, "Yo'll not have

much time for to try and see her, my fine chap. She's not for

staying with us a day longer nor she can help. She's got grand

relations, and they're carrying her off; and we sha'n't see her

no more." "Measter," said I, "if I dunnot see her afore hoo goes,

I'll strive to get up to Lunnun next Whissuntide, that I will.

I'll not be baulked of saying her good-bye by any relations

whatsomdever." But, bless yo', I knowed yo'd come. It were only

for to humour the measter, I let on as if I thought yo'd mappen

leave Milton without seeing me.' 'You're quite right,' said Margaret. 'You only do me justice. And

you'll not forget me, I'm sure. If no one else in Milton

remembers me, I'm certain you will; and papa too. You know how

good and how tender he was. Look, Higgins! here is his bible. I

have kept it for you. I can ill spare it; but I know he would

have liked you to have it. I'm sure you'll care for it, and study

what is In it, for his sake.' 'Yo' may say that. If it were the deuce's own scribble, and yo'

axed me to read in it for yo'r sake, and th' oud gentleman's, I'd

do it. Whatten's this, wench? I'm not going for to take yo'r

brass, so dunnot think it. We've been great friends, 'bout the

sound o' money passing between us.' 'For the children--for Boucher's children,' said Margaret,

hurriedly. 'They may need it. You've no right to refuse it for

them. I would not give you a penny,' she said, smiling; 'don't

think there's any of it for you.' 'Well, wench! I can nobbut say, Bless yo'! and bless yo'!--and

amen.'




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024