Short stories, American; United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
“I am going away from this place, Walters,” he said as he pulled off his
coat and threw himself heavily on the bed. “I will take the first train
that leaves here, and I will sleep a little while you put up my things.
The first train, you understand--within an hour, if it leaves that
soon.” His head sank back on the pillows heavily, as though he had come
in from a long, weary walk, and his eyes closed and his arms fell easily
at his side. The servant stood frightened and yet happy, with the tears
running down his cheeks, for he loved his master dearly.
“We are going home, Walters,” the Plunger whispered drowsily. “We are
going home; home to England and Harringford and the governor--and we are
going to be happy for all the rest of our lives.” He paused a moment,
and Walters bent forward over the bed and held his breath to listen.
“For he came to me,” murmured the boy, as though he was speaking in his
sleep, “when I was yet a great way off--while I was yet a great way off,
and ran to meet me--”
His voice sank until it died away into silence, and a few hours later,
when Walters came to wake him, he found his master sleeping like a child
and smiling in his sleep.
THE CYNICAL MISS CATHERWAIGHT
Miss Catherwaight's collection of orders and decorations and medals was
her chief offence in the eyes of those of her dear friends who thought
her clever but cynical.
All of them were willing to admit that she was clever, but some of them
said she was clever only to be unkind.
Young Van Bibber had said that if Miss Catherwaight did not like dances
and days and teas, she had only to stop going to them instead of making
unpleasant remarks about those who did. So many people repeated this
that young Van Bibber believed finally that he had said something good,
and was somewhat pleased in consequence, as he was not much given to
that sort of thing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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