The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 4 of 5)Burney, Fanny
History
The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 4 of 5)
Burney, Fanny
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Refugees -- Fiction; Historical fiction; Refugees -- Fiction; War stories
Nothing so unfailingly ensures, or rather creates a welcome, as
cheerfulness; cheerfulness! so beautifully, by Addison, called an Hymn
to the Divinity! Whether it be, that the view of sprightliness seems the
fore-runner of pleasure to ourselves; or whether we judge all within to
be innocent, where all without is serene; various, according to
sentiment, or circumstance, as may be the motive, the result is nearly
universal; that those who approach us with cheerfulness, are sure to be
met with kindness. Cheerfulness is as distinct from insipid placidity as
from buoyant spirits; it seems to indicate a disposition of thankful
enjoyment for all that can be attained of good, blended with resignation
upon principle to all that must be endured of evil.
Her first care was to satisfy her two still wondering conductors, who
proved to be sons to the master of the farm, by giving to each
half-a-crown; that they might not lose their time, she told them, by
waiting till she had settled her business with their father: and, after
doubling her caresses to her protector, Dash, she sent them back to
their work; manifestly glad that they had not affronted a young woman,
who knew how to behave herself, they said, so handsomely.
She now begged an audience of the farmer, to whom she resolved to
communicate her alarming adventure at the hut.
The farmer, who was surrounded by his family and his labourers, to whom
he was issuing orders, desired her to speak out at once.
Juliet could by no means consent to publish so dark and uncertain a
history to so many hearers; she again, therefore, entreated to address
him in private.
He had come home, he answered, only to take a mug of beer; for the
plough was in the field: however, she might call again, if she would, at
dinner-time; but he had no time to give to talk in a morning.
And forth he went, whistling, and hallooing after his labourers, as he
jogged his way.
She then applied to his bustling, sturdy wife; but with no better
success; who was to feed the poultry? who was to give the wash to the
pigs? who was to churn the butter? if she threw away her time by
gossipping in the morning?
The rest of the family consisted of three grown up daughters, and four
or five children. The daughters, though more civil, because less
voluntarily busy, and, as yet, less interested than their parents, were
too inexperienced to give any assistance, or form any judgment upon such
an affair; Juliet, therefore, who was sinking with fatigue and
emptiness, and who desired nothing so much as to remain for some time
under any safe roof, begged, of the young women, a bason of bread and
milk for her breakfast; and permission to stay at the farm till the hour
of dinner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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