Christian life -- Fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
"I do not like these sweeping assertions," said Dr. Elliott, looking
a good deal annoyed.
"I have to say what I think," I persisted.
"It is well to think rightly, then," he said, gravely.
"By the bye, have you heard from Helen?" Mrs. Embury most
irreverently asked.
"Yes, I, heard yesterday."
"I suppose you will be writing her, then? Will you enclose a little
note from me? Or rather let me have the least corner of your sheet?"
I was shocked at her want of delicacy. Of course this Helen must be
the new love, and how could a woman with two grains of sense imagine
he would want to spare her a part of his sheet!
I felt tired and irritated. As soon as Dr. Elliott had gone, I began
to give her a good setting down.
"I could hardly believe my ears," I said, "when I heard you ask leave
to write on Dr. Elliott's sheet."
"No wonder," she said, laughing. "I suppose you never knew what it
was to have to count every shilling, and to deny yourself the
pleasure of writing to a friend because of what it would cost. I'm
sure I never did till I was married."
"But to ask him to let you help write his love-letters," I objected.
"Ah! is that the way the wind blows?" she cried, nodding her pretty
little head. "Well, then, let me relieve your mind, my dear, by
informing you that this 'love-letter' is to his sister, my dearest
friend, and the sweetest little thing you ever saw."
"Oh!" I said, and immediately felt quite rested, and quite like
myself.
Like myself! And who is she, pray!
Two souls dwell in my poor little body, and which of them is me, and
which of them isn't, it would be hard to tell. This is the way they
behave:
SCENE FIRST.
Katy, to the other creature, whom I will call Kate.-Your mother looks
tired, and you have been very cross. Run and put your arms around
her, and tell her how you love her.
Kate.-Oh, I can't; it would look queer. I don't like palaver.
Besides, who would not be cross who felt as I do?
SCENE SECOND.
Katy.-Little Emma has nothing to do, and ought to be amused. Tell her
a story, do.
Kate.-I am tired, and need to be amused myself.
Katy.-But the dear little thing is so patient and has suffered so
much.
Kate.-Well, I have suffered, too. If she had not climbed up on the
fender she would not have got burned.
SCENE THIRD.
Kate.-You are very irritable to-day. You had better go upstairs to
your room and pray for patience.
Katy.-One can't be always praying. I don't feel like it.
SCENE FOURTH.
Katy.-You treat Dr. Elliott shamefully. I should think he would
really avoid you as you avoid him.
Kate-Don't let me hear his name. I don't avoid him.
Katy.-You do not deserve his good opinion.
Kate.-Yes, I do.
SCENE FIFTH
Just awake in the morning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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