Next day was Sunday. When I woke up, early, I recollected all that had
happened with a flush of overwhelming shame. How childishly, how
foolishly I had behaved. I was very, very wretched; but I was ashamed,
and pride got the upper hand. I dressed myself carefully, and went
downstairs, resolved not to show my misery at least, to be proud and
forget it. “If he does not care for me,” I said to myself, “I will not
care for him.” I passed his room very softly that I might not wake him.
There was early morning service in St Mark’s now, for the curate who had
succeeded poor papa was very High Church. I stole out and went to this
early service, and tried to be good, and to give myself up to God’s
will. Yes, it must have been God’s will--though how it could ever be
God’s will that anybody should be false, or unkind, or cruel, I could
not tell. I know it is right, however, whatever happens that vexes you,
to accept it as if it must be the will of God. I tried to do that, and I
was not quite so miserable when I went home. Ellen opened the door to
me, looking frightened. “I thought you was lost, too, Miss,” she said.
“I have been to church,” I answered, scarcely noticing her words.
Breakfast was laid in the little parlour. It was very, very tidy,
dreadfully tidy--everything was cleared away--the basket with the work
and all the little things, and every stray thread and remnant. All of a
sudden it occurred to me how little I had been doing to help of late.
Instead of working I had been spending the evenings with Mrs Stephens. I
did not even know how far the “things” were advanced, and it seemed
strange they should all be gone. Of course it was because of Sunday.
After a while Ellen brought in the coffee. She had still the same
frightened look. “Missis wasn’t with you at the early service, Miss
Mary?” “Oh, no,” I said, surprised at the question; “perhaps she is not
up.”
“She’s never lain down all night,” said Ellen; “she was worrited and
worn off her legs going up and down to you yesterday, Miss--you that was
quite well, and had no call to your bed. She was a deal more like it,
the dear. She’s never lain in her bed this blessed night, and I can’t
find her, high or low.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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