The English Orphans; Or, A Home in the New WorldHolmes, Mary Jane
General
The English Orphans; Or, A Home in the New World
Holmes, Mary Jane
Orphans -- Fiction
While Rose was sleeping, Jenny stole softly down the stairs, and
throwing on her shawl and bonnet, went across the street, to confide
her troubles with Mary Howard; who, while she sympathized deeply with
her young friend, was not surprised, for, from her slight
acquaintance with Mrs Lincoln, she could readily believe that one so
ambitious and haughty, would seek for her daughter a wealthier
alliance than a poor lawyer. All that she could say to comfort Jenny
she did, bidding her to wait patiently, and hope for the best.
"You are blue and dispirited," said she, "and a little fresh air will
do you good. Suppose we walk round a square or two; for see, the rain
is over now."
Jenny consented, and they had hardly gone half the length of a street
when William himself joined them. Rightly guessing that her absence
would not be noticed, Mary turned suddenly into a side street, leaving
William and Jenny to themselves. From that walk Jenny returned to her
home much happier than she left it. She had seen William,--had talked
with him of the past, present, and future,--had caught from his
hopeful spirit the belief that all would be well in time, and in a far
more cheerful frame of mind, she re-entered her sister's room; and
when Rose, who was awake, and noticed the change in her appearance,
asked what had happened, she could not forbear telling her.
Rose heard her through, and then very kindly informed her that "she
was a fool to care for such a rough-scuff."
In a few days, preparations were commenced for moving Rose to
Glenwood, and in the excitement of getting ready, she in a measure
forgot the tallow candles and patchwork bedquilt, the thoughts of
which had so much shocked her at first.
"Put in my embroidered merino morning gown," said she to Jenny, who
was packing her trunk, "and the blue cashmere one faced with white
satin; and don't forget my best cambric skirt, the one with so much
work on it, for when George Moreland comes to Glenwood I shall want to
look as well as possible; and then, too, I like to see the country
folks open their mouths, and stare at city fashions.'
"What makes you think George will come to Glenwood?" asked Jenny, as
she packed away dresses her sister would never wear.
"I know, and that's enough," answered Rose; "and now, before you
forget it, put in my leghorn flat, for if I stay long, I shall want
it; and see how nicely you can fold the dress I wore at Mrs. Russell's
party!"
"Why, Rose, what can you possibly want of that?" asked Jenny, and Rose
replied, "Oh, I want to show it to grandma, just to hear her groan
over our extravagance, and predict that we'll yet come to ruin!"
Jenny thought that if Rose could have seen her father that morning,
when the bill for the dress and its costly trimmings was presented,
she would have wished it removed for ever from her sight. Early in the
winter Mr. Lincoln had seen that all such matters were settled, and of
this bill, more recently made, he knew nothing.
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