Cruel as the graveSouthworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
General
Cruel as the grave
Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
American fiction -- 19th century
He found it all right, and he mounted the seat and drove to the market
space, and took a stand, and began to offer his produce as zealously as
any farmer on the ground--taking care, in the mean time, to wear his
spectacles and broad-brimmed hat, and to keep up his character in voice
and manner; and, as the morning advanced, he began to drive a brisk
business.
Meantime Sybil, left alone in her poor room at the little inn, arose
and locked the door after Lyon, to prevent intrusion before she should
effect her disguise, and when she had thus insured her privacy, she
began to dress.
As soon as she had transformed herself, she opened the door and called
for Rachel.
The landlord's daughter entered, giving her guest good-morning, and
kindly inquiring how she had slept.
"I slept like a top! But I'm not well this morning neither. So I'd just
like to have my victuals sent up here," answered Sybil.
"Very well; what would you like?"
"Fried fish, and pork-steaks, and bri'led chickings, and grilled bacon,
and--let me see! Have you any oysters?"
"Yes, very fine ones."
"Well, then, I'll take some stewed oysters too, and some poached eggs,
and preserved quinces, and fried potatoes, and corn pone, and hot rolls,
and buckwheat cakes, and cold bread and butter, and some coffee, and
buttermilk and sweet milk. And that's all, I believe; for, you see, I
an't well, and I haven't come to my stomach yet; but if I can think of
anything else, I will let you know.
"Is your father going to eat his breakfast with you?"
"Who? pappy? No; he's gone to market, and will get his victuals at the
eating stall. Wouldn't it be good fun to keep a eating stall in a
market?"
"I don't think so."
"Well, never mind whether you do, or not. Hurry up with my victuals."
"Yes; but I'm afraid we haven't got all the things you want; but I will
bring you up what we have," said the girl, who had opened her eyes
widely at the bill of fare ordered by her sickly guest.
"Well, go do it then, and don't stop to talk," said Sybil, shortly.
Rachel went out, and in due time returned with a waiter containing
Sybil's breakfast.
"Why, there an't half--no, not a quarter of the things I told you to
fetch me," said Sybil, turning up her nose at the waiter that Rachel
placed upon the table.
"I have brought you some of everything that we have cooked. I should be
glad if I could bring you all you wish," replied Rachel.
"Then I s'pose I must be half-starved in this poor place. And me so
weakly, too! I'll tell pappy as soon as ever he comes. I want to go
home--I do. We've got as much as ever we can eat at home," grumbled
Sybil, doing her best to act her part, and perhaps overdoing it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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