"Not now, my dear, I am engaged," was the frequent reply. She managed
to learn, however, that a visit to her grandfather had already been
planned for that week, and that Mrs Forrest intended to leave her at
his house at Dornton and fetch her again after driving farther on to
make a call.
With this she was obliged to be satisfied, and it was quite strange how,
after a few days, the new surroundings and rules and pleasures of
Waverley seemed to make much that had filled her mind on her arrival
fade and grow less important. She still wished to see her grandfather
again; but the idea of being his chief comforter and support now seemed
impossible, and rather foolish, and she would not have hinted it to Aunt
Sarah on any account. Neither did it seem necessary, as the days went
on, to mention her drive with Mr Oswald and the accident of passing her
grandfather in the lane.
CHAPTER FOUR.
THE PROFESSOR.
...I have heard a grave divine say that God has two dwellings--one in
heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.--_Izaak Walton_.
"Del, my love," said Mrs Hunt, "I feel one of my worst headaches coming
on. Will you go this afternoon to see Mrs Winn, instead of me?" Delia
stood under the medlar tree on the lawn, ready to go out, with a bunch
of roses in her hand, and her violin-case. She looked at her mother
inquiringly, for Mrs Hunt had not just then any appearance of
discomfort. She was sitting in an easy canvas chair, a broad-brimmed
hat upon her head, and a newspaper in her hands; her slippered feet
rested on a little wooden stool, and on a table by her side were a cup
of tea, a nicely buttered roll, and a few very ripe strawberries.
"Hadn't you better wait," said Delia, after a moment's pause, "until you
can go yourself? Mrs Winn would much rather see you. Besides--it is
my music afternoon."
Mrs Hunt was looking up and down the columns of the paper while her
daughter spoke: she did not answer at once, and when she did, it was
scarcely an answer so much as a continuation of her own train of
thoughts.
"She has had a tickling cough for so many nights. She can hardly sleep
for it, and I promised her a pot of my own black currant jelly."
"It's a great deal out of my way," said Delia.
"If you go," continued Mrs Hunt, without raising her eyes, "you will
find the row of little pots on the top shelf of the storeroom cupboard."
Delia bit her lip.
"If I go," she said, "I must shorten my music-lesson."
Mrs Hunt said nothing, but looked as amiable as ever. A frown gathered
on Delia's forehead: she stood irresolute for a minute, and then, with a
sudden effort, turned and went quickly into the house. Mrs Hunt
stirred her tea, tasted a strawberry, and leant back in her chair with a
gentle sigh of comfort. In a few minutes Delia reappeared hurriedly.
"There is _no_ black currant jelly in the storeroom," she said, with an
air of exasperation.
Mrs Hunt looked up in mild surprise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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