Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 682: January 20, 1877.Various
Science
Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 682: January 20, 1877.
Various
Periodicals
'Well, we knowed you paid for everything you had; but missis said you'd
never be living a-most upon dry bread if there was much left in your
boxes; and as to their being heavy, master said bricks would do that!'
It was impossible to divest Becky's mind of the idea that I had
suddenly become recklessly and extravagantly generous, as her heap of
belongings increased; and when I added a small box to contain them,
with a key, her gratitude knew no bounds.
'My very own! What's give me is my own; isn't it, Miss Haddon, dear?'
I was very decided about that.
'And if I was to run away in them, it would not be thieving, would it?'
'No; it would not be thieving; but I should be very sorry if you were
to run away, for then I should not be able to find you, in case I am
able to obtain a situation for you near me, by-and-by. It would be
wiser as well as braver to endure a little longer, Becky.' At which
Becky screwed up her mouth, and gave me a little nod, which I knew
meant enduring and staying.
Thus pleasantly was spent my last evening in the small room where I
had many a time passed half the night anxiously speculating upon the
chances of being able to earn sufficient to keep me. It had seemed
but a forlorn-hope answering that advertisement, without being able
to offer any testimony of previous experience. But I was becoming
desperate, knowing that if I once began to sell my small belongings in
order to obtain food, it would very soon be out of my power to accept
an engagement, should one offer.
I set forth for the railway station the next morning on better terms
with myself and the world than I had been for many a long day, Becky
and I comforting each other at parting with a smile instead of a tear,
as we had agreed to do.
What was my new home going to be like? The only impression which
had been conveyed to me about Mr Farrar had been that he was rich
and liberal. Mr Wentworth had given me no clue to the characters of
either father or daughter beyond saying that the former was liberal
and the latter sensitive. Liberality seemed to speak for itself;
but sensitiveness might or might not be a charm, according to
circumstances. A refined, self-depreciative nature is not sensitive
from the same cause as is a self-loving one; and unfortunately it is
not the latter kind of sensitiveness which is least prevalent. But I
comforted myself with the reflection that they must indeed be difficult
to please, if one so desirous of finding a home as I was could not
please them.
CHAPTER IV.--FAIRVIEW.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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