Clara Vaughan, Volume II (of III)

ation, as we had expected, but terror. Terror of two evils; the first and chief evil, the possibility of Charley catching cold; the other, the probability that he would crush C

is. Why he broke the head of the skittleman at the "Load of Hay." S

t been put out this time; he was put in

er you mean. True, true, and serve him right (so long as he don't take cold) for calling me, his la

for it, Mrs. Shelfer, utterly as I scorn him, because it compels me to leave your house; and you have be

and us so used to you and all, and Tom, and the blackbird, and the new squirrel! A likely story

not, Mrs.

My mouth watered over it so, that she said one day, and the knife-boy heard her on the stairs, 'Patty, you've been a good girl to me, and you deserves it, and you shall have it, when I am tucked up for good and all.' And so I did, very honourable, and all above board. Yes, yes; I had a commer

fer, I fear we c

e other. I couldn't think why it was she would always make her own bed. 'Thank you, Mrs. Shelfer'--with her lips sucked in like a button-hole--'thank you, you are too kind. It doesn't at all fatigue me, and my doctor pronounces the exercise good for my chest an

s, "the worst of it was

it with sawdust, and oakum, and jova

u mean, Mrs

that the kingfishers lays on the top of the

she do with

pound, and they worth three and sixpence, every flue of them. But the rag and bottleman

e I sleep on,

d friend, th

leep on guano! Well, I th

But as for your going, Miss Valence, that will never do. Never, never. Will it now, Miss Idols? And to see her dress, to be sure, that baggage! Why, my best tarlatan, as dear Miss Minto give me to be married in, wasn't good

u expect us to liste

e, I must out with my troubles, or burst. But you musn't go, Miss Valence. That will never

ite 'drunk and incapable,' you know. And he will be so sorry, and he'll never do it again. And he did not mean to be drunk at all, but the frost was very hard, and the cold

ry little woman, she actually cried. I had never seen a tear in her quick, shy eyes before, though the feather-bed nearly

y a king! Not one of us is good enough to tie your shoes

n evil? But for bitter experience, I might have been sweet as Isola. Thank God, that in

gged him well all night, and then given him a good breakfast, he'll come and beg your pardon lik

nd I owe you a great deal for all your kindness to me. The only question is, whether self-respect and prudence allow me to stay here. I will leave the decision

threw back her plump white shoulders--her bonnet and cloak were off--drew her rich flowing hair down the pearly curve of her ears and, scarcely satisfied yet, thought of mounting

irst place I award that Miss Valence remain in this house, forget and forgive her wrongs. In the second place I recommend (in such a matter I will not presume to command) that till Mr. Shelfer has made a humble a

kiss me, unless it is when he knows I have got some money. But h

peak to the most colloquially gifted dog; though at other times he would stay gossiping near a lamp-post for five minutes together. One evening when he was thus commissioned, a rude fellow pushed between them, and said something to Isola. Giudice had him down in an instant, and stood over him, like a tawny thundercloud, with growlings so fearful and such flashing eyes, that two policemen felt it wiser not to act as conductors. Idols herself was obl

an eminent artist. But Isola told me, and no doubt it was true, that he could beat his master out and out, and that for any choice design, where original power and taste were needed, they always came to him. Of late the frosts had lightened his tasks; for warm the room as they would, the weather always affected the material; and they feared to attempt the more delicate parts of the work during the rigours of winter. So when the thaw came, he must lose the pleasure of seeing me for a while, unless dear Isola wished to be escorted home on a Sunday; if, indeed, I allowed her to come on that day. Why, that was the very day when I could best indulge in