India : $b the pearl of Pearl RiverSouthworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
General
India : $b the pearl of Pearl River
Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
Louisiana -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
With no more ado, “Billy” marched up to the corner cupboard, seized a
knife, passed it under the print of butter, and deftly turned the print
out of the pan into a plate; next, he took up the pail and poured the
milk into a pitcher; finally, he went back and seized his basket, and
seeing nothing, to receive the vegetables, just turned it upside down
and shook them out upon the floor—and potatoes, cucumbers, onions,
tomatoes, &c., rolled in every direction. And “Billy” caught up his
empty pan and pail and pitched them into the basket, and hitched the
latter, with a jerk, upon his arm, and marched out of the door,
exclaiming—
“Now, for the futur’, mind, you must come arter ’em every day,
yourself—if they’re worth havin’ they’re worth comin’ for, an’ I’ve got
’nough to do for _her_, ’out trudgin’ over here every day for _you_. An’
I told her I wan’t agoin’ to do it, nuther,” &c., &c., &c.
For long after Billy was out of sight in the woods, Rosalie heard the
retreating sound of his grumbling. Full of wonder, she set about to
collect the fugitive potatoes, tomatoes, &c. She put them under the
lower shelf of her cupboard, and drew the short white curtain before
them; then she set the pitcher of rich milk and the plate of fresh
butter upon the table, much pleased with the unexpected luxury, but more
pleased to anticipate the surprise and pleasure of Mark. And all being
ready, she took her sewing, and sat in the door to watch for his coming.
She heard his footstep before she saw his form; and she closed the door
and ran up the woodland path to meet him. And soon their merry voices
and silvery laughter echoed through the forest, as they approached the
cabin. Rosalie had said nothing of her new luxuries; and when they
entered the cabin, and he threw a glance around, and dropped his eyes
upon the table, first of all he caught and kissed Rose again for her
affectionate care, and then, by his exclamations and questions,
exhibited all the surprise and satisfaction that the most exacting
little Rose could have desired. While they supped, Rosalie explained the
mystery of the plums and raspberries, and, after relating the visit of
Billy, requested an explanation of the other mystery, of the butter,
milk, and vegetables, and expressed her fears that, after all, she had
no right to them—that they were intended for some one else. Mark
reassured her by giving his opinion that they were intended for herself,
and no other; and that she would find out, the next day, probably, the
kind neighbour who had sent them.
After supper was over and cleared away, and the young pair had rested
awhile, and the moon had risen, they crossed the rill and went up the
hill to enjoy the fine air and the extended view.
And thus closed their first day at the log cabin.
And the next morning Rosalie found out her kind neighbours.
CHAPTER XXIV.
DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account