"My dear little girls,--You know that I have already bid each of
you good-by; and though I tried to say something to all of you at
once, I was not able, because I was so sorry to part with you, and
tell you that my little school must be given up. So I have written
these few lines, to tell you that I love you all, and have tried to
be a good friend to you. Be sure not to forget your spelling and
reading, and your needle. Your mothers have promised to hear you
say your catechisms; you must also be sure to say your prayers, and
to read your Bibles, and to behave very seriously at church, and to
be always dutiful to your parents. Then God will bless you all! I
hope you will not forget us, for we shall often think of you when
we are a great way off; and Dr. Tatham will now and then write and
tell us how you are going on. Farewell, my dear little girls; and
may God bless and preserve you all! This is the prayer of both of
us--Mrs. Aubrey and
"CATHERINE AUBREY.
"_Yatton, 15th May 18--._"
The above was not written in the uniform and beautiful hand usual with
Miss Aubrey; it was, on the contrary, rather irregular, and evidently
written hastily; but Dr. Tatham preserved it to the day of his death,
and always thought it beautiful.
On the ensuing morning, at a very early hour, Dr. Tatham left the
vicarage, to pay his last visit to friends whom it almost broke his
heart to part with, in all human probability forever. He started, but on
a moment's reflection ceased to be surprised, at the sight of Mr. Aubrey
approaching him from the direction of the little churchyard. He was
calm, but his countenance bore the traces of very recent emotion. They
greeted each other in silence, and so walked on for some time,
arm-in-arm, slowly, towards the Hall. It was a dull heavy morning,
almost threatening rain. The air seemed full of oppression. The only
sounds audible were the hoarse clamorous sounds issuing from the old
rookery, at some distance on their left. Mr. Aubrey and Dr. Tatham
interchanged but few words, as they walked along the winding pathway to
the Hall. The first thing which attracted their eyes, after passing
under the gateway, was the large old family carriage, standing opposite
the Hall door, where stood some luggage, sufficient for the journey,
ready to be placed upon it; the remainder having been sent on the day
before to London. How mournful was the sight! On entering the Hall, they
found its heart-broken inmates all up, and dressed. The children were
taking their last breakfast in the nursery; Charles making many
inquiries of the weeping servants, which they could answer only by tears
and kisses. In vain was the breakfast-table spread for the senior
travellers. There sat poor Kate, in travelling trim, before the antique
silver urn, attempting to perform, with tremulous hand, her accustomed
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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