Children's stories; Young women -- Juvenile fiction
Rollo had used his voice a good deal that evening, namely, for two
and a half consecutive hours. He said scarcely a word more until
they got to the house in question; but as he went he thought what
he would do with the gin shops whenever he should get control in
the Hollow. The cabin of the wifeless Patrick was high up the
valley and high up on the bank, a short way after all. A little
stream of light came out to meet them from the open door; and
once in line with this, Dr. Arthur stopped short with a suppressed
exclamation, and Rollo looked up.
The door had probably been left open of intent for air; for on some
low seat in the middle of the floor sat Wych Hazel, still muffled
partly in the cloak, which she had not taken time to throw off. The
hood had fallen back, and the cloak fell away on either side from
her silken folds and white laces; Hazel's attention was wholly
absorbed by the child on her lap. A little tattered figure lay with its
head on the young lady's breast; while both Wych Hazel's hands,
the one passed round the child as well as the other, were clasped
tight around one little arm. So they sat, quite still,the child's eyes
upon her face; while a small circle of great admiration stood
around; fingers in mouth, hands behind back, wholly absorbed in
the vision or spell-bound with the voice. For she was softly
singing.
'You'll never be in Adam's case of destitution,that's one thing!'
was Dr. Arthur's comment, as his friend sprang past him into the
cabin. Then however, like a wise man, postponing other things to
business, Rollo only demanded calmly what the matter was? Hazel
had not expected him, and there was a look of surprise and a
minute's flush; then her thoughts too went back to business.
'I think her arm is broken. I have been holding it in place.'
'And she let you?' queried Dr. Arthur.
'I would do it. She is more quiet now.'
'Sixteen carats fine!' said Dr. Arthur. 'Half the women I know
would have dropped the arm the moment they saw me, and nine-
tenths of the others would not have touched it at all! Now let me
see.'
But first a change was made. Rollo took the child into his own
arms. It was done too swiftly and skilfully for the poor little
creature to make any objection, but its dismay and displeasure
were immediately proclaimed. The new hands that held it were
however both kind and strong, and the master's voice was already
known, even by these little ones. So the worst was soon over,
thanks to the firmness that had kept the arm quiet till the doctor
came. It was true; she "had the fight in her," as Dane had once
said; though now the woman was taking her revenge, and Hazel
sat behind the others with blanched cheeks. Dr. Arthur glanced at
her once or twice.
' "Ever so far away to Chickaree"!' he said,'I should think it was!
Dane, can you find a substitute to watch this child to-night?'
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