Dwell Deep

fears to sit at ea

having a grand discussion about our dresses for the Walkers' affair,

Nelly finish

and Captain Gates had just sauntered o

pending it in my favourite nook in the plantation, a

a long preach last night, and now there still remains mother! Let me advise you, don't be too outspoken with her. Constance told her

I said a little wistfully; 'I sh

ing your colours?' que

a brighter tone, and the

but when she saw that I was re

your absence. I am anxious to take you about with my own daughters, and people will think I am purposely keeping you in the background. I

to be such a trouble. If you would only let me be happy in my own way, and stay quietly at ho

you will not fall in with them, it would be better for us all that you should be away from us. However, of course, we cannot force you to go with us n

from their point of view, I must be somewhat of a tri

the sudden appearance of little Roddy Walters from behind a large tree close to

you,' were his first words

time that he had ventured to come up to the house to see me, though whenever I passed thr

ch from his hot little hands; 'but, Roddy, y

e, and I runned away, and Jim tooked me down to the water, and we picked th

who i

, he's sittin' on the gate; yo

n a side gate that led into some fields was a lad about fifteen. He got down dire

u Jim?'

s,

be at school? It isn't right of yo

e's such a litt

but he himself had no occupation except that of gathering wild flowers, and taking them

th my crutch I was that 'shamed to go, being such a big 'un, and such a dunce. Uncle Sam, he has

h you!' I exclaimed; 'wo

I! but I'm an

ion for little Roddy was very touching. That afternoon the old rector happened to call while we were at tea, and I took the opportunity of a

unday. I am an old man myself, and don't feel up to it. I sometimes wish I had a wife

o do what you wish. She has already expressed a

tion that I felt quite grateful to her. And before the rector left us he had settled that I should

ery little ones, as the bigger ones attend a school a little distance off. And as for Jim C

ed God for the work He had already given me. Only that morning I had been pr

d for the rest of the day this fresh interest made me forget my trou

paper, Mrs. Forsyth with her work, and the girls roun

usical one? Because if so, please favour us w

lly laughing. 'She is never go

e was a little scornful; 'but it

al Forsyth

you were nothing loth to turn this room into chaos last night in order to en

rying to speak bravely, 'but I told Mrs.

;' and throwing down his paper angrily,

; and she replied, in tones loud enough for me to hear, 'She is a provoking litt

caught the sneering words. He did not say anything, but got up from

r treat, for yo

I ought not to refuse, but I could not play as I had

at is rather diffe

. I will try a little lullaby. It's

m anxious for Violet to play well, but her violin lessons with Miss Graham are a source of constant trouble to me. I wish you c

e with Violet a little,' I said,

he windows, and I joined her with a sense of relie

leant against one of the st

e out, Captain Gates turned to me and said, 'You are having rather a hot time of it just now, Miss Thorn, I feel

was sym

looked away to the still hills in the distance, my eyes sudden

you are planning a dreary life

ars, and smiling at his gloomy tone; 'I s

and then perhaps I should understand better.

omething to fill your life and interest and occupy you, and if

e you got tha

for a moment,

ad your Bible,

oft

here, if you look; but I suppose the summing up of it all i

s anothe

be enlightened. Will you come for a row on the r

And then I stepped back into the drawing-room, leaving him alone there, and wo

, he refused to take my hand, saying coldly, 'I shall have nothing to

om heard his words; then I left the room slowly, like a naughty child being sent off

ther if we can have a picnic on the river to-morrow. Constance and Mr. Stroud are delighted, and mother has given her consent. Mother says she won't start with us, but may join us later in the day. He said we had better have three boats; but I wonder how we are going t

aimed, half laughing, half vexed. '

e great fun. Well, good