'Fanny dear I shall have horses to the carriage to-day, to go and

call on these Hales. Should not you go and see nurse? It's in the

same direction, and she's always so glad to see you. You could go

on there while I am at Mrs. Hale's.' 'Oh! mamma, it's such a long way, and I am so tired.' 'With what?' asked Mrs. Thornton, her brow slightly contracting.

'I don't know--the weather, I think. It is so relaxing. Couldn't

you bring nurse here, mamma? The carriage could fetch her, and

she could spend the rest of the day here, which I know she would

like.' Mrs. Thornton did not speak; but she laid her work on the table,

and seemed to think.

'It will be a long way for her to walk back at night!' she

remarked, at last.

'Oh, but I will send her home in a cab. I never thought of her

walking.' At this point, Mr. Thornton came in, just before going

to the mill.

'Mother! I need hardly say, that if there is any little thing

that could serve Mrs. Hale as an invalid, you will offer it, I'm

sure.' 'If I can find it out, I will. But I have never been ill myself,

so I am not much up to invalids' fancies.' 'Well! here is Fanny then, who is seldom without an ailment. She

will be able to suggest something, perhaps--won't you, Fan?' 'I have not always an ailment,' said Fanny, pettishly; 'and I am

not going with mamma. I have a headache to-day, and I shan't go

out.' Mr. Thornton looked annoyed. His mother's eyes were bent on her

work, at which she was now stitching away busily.

'Fanny! I wish you to go,' said he, authoritatively. 'It will do

you good, instead of harm. You will oblige me by going, without

my saying anything more about it.' He went abruptly out of the room after saying this.

If he had staid a minute longer, Fanny would have cried at his

tone of command, even when he used the words, 'You will oblige

me.' As it was, she grumbled.

'John always speaks as if I fancied I was ill, and I am sure I

never do fancy any such thing. Who are these Hales that he makes

such a fuss about?' 'Fanny, don't speak so of your brother. He has good reasons of

some kind or other, or he would not wish us to go. Make haste and

put your things on.' But the little altercation between her son and her daughter did

not incline Mrs. Thornton more favourably towards 'these Hales.'

Her jealous heart repeated her daughter's question, 'Who are

they, that he is so anxious we should pay them all this

attention?' It came up like a burden to a song, long after Fanny

had forgotten all about it in the pleasant excitement of seeing

the effect of a new bonnet in the looking-glass.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024