|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 20
"It will not be for long," she said, "and the children must manage to
get along without Elsli." So it was settled that Elsli should go the
next day, at eleven o'clock, to Mrs. Stanhope's, to begin her new
duties.
Late that evening, when the two sisters sat down at the work-table
together, after the children were in bed, aunty repeated Emma's
confidences to her mother; how the visit to the sick girl had been a
complete failure, for Emma was sure that Nora did not care to have her
come again, any more than she herself cared to go; for she couldn't
think of anything to say, and Nora didn't want to talk either, and they
didn't like the same things at all.
Mrs. Stein was surprised and disappointed. Emma's stock of conversation
had never been known to give out before, and her mother had been
confident that her merry talk would be a real pleasure to the sick
child, and help to pass happily many a tedious hour of her long day;
and, on the other hand, she relied much on the benefit which her romping
little girl would receive from the refined and gentle Nora. She saw,
however, that there was nothing to be done about it, and that she could
only trust to time, which often works wonders when things seem hopeless.
"By and by, perhaps, they will come together. Children often do, just
when you least expect it," she said.
Her sister shook her head. "Emma and Nora were not made for each other,
any more than fire and water," she said; and then they quitted the
subject, and talked about Elsli's prospects, and rejoiced at the thought
that the days of servitude to her burdensome little brothers were over,
at least for the present.
CHAPTER VI.
AUNTY IS IN DEMAND AGAIN.
On the following day, at eleven o'clock, Elsli entered the house at
Oak-ridge as quietly as a little mouse; so quietly that Nora did not
hear her come into the house, and was startled when she suddenly saw her
standing just inside the door of the sitting-room. Elsli had brushed her
light brown hair carefully back from her forehead, leaving only a few
soft curls to wave about her eyes. Her mother had allowed her to put on
a fresh white apron and a bright kerchief, as she was going among the
gentry. The little pale face had a somewhat anxious look, and her big
blue eyes had a timid expression as she glanced toward Nora, doubting
whether she ought to come into the room or not.
"Come in," said Nora; "are you the girl who is coming to do our
errands?"
Elsli answered in so gentle a voice, and her whole air was so winning,
that Nora felt instantly drawn towards her, and she stretched out her
hand, saying, "Come here, and sit down by me, and let us have a little
talk. Isn't your name Elsli?" she continued; "mamma has some errands for
you this morning; sewing-silk and pencils and eggs to get; but can't you
sit down and talk with me a little first, or will that give you too
little time for them, so that you'll have to hurry and so you'll get
tired."
"Oh, no, the errands will not tire me," replied Elsli. "I get tired at
home, because I have to carry the little boys about so much."
"Then _you_ do know what it is to feel tired, very tired?"
"Yes, indeed, I know only too well. I am almost always tired, and
sometimes I think I should like to lie down and never get up again.
Hanseli is getting dreadfully heavy, and I can scarcely carry him any
longer, but he won't walk, and only screams and kicks if I put him
down."
"I'm glad to find somebody who knows what it is to be tired; now we can
talk about it, can't we? Don't you feel sometimes as if you never wanted
to stand up again, and wouldn't you like to have something happen that
would make you over new and take all the tired feelings away?"
"But nothing can happen; you only just have to get up again."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|