Three Lives: Stories of The Good Anna, Melanctha and The Gentle LenaStein, Gertrude
General
Three Lives: Stories of The Good Anna, Melanctha and The Gentle Lena
Stein, Gertrude
Working class women -- Fiction
Jefferson sat there for about an hour reading, and he had really
forgotten all about his trouble with Melanctha's meaning. Then 'Mis'
Herbert had some trouble with her breathing. She woke up and was
gasping. Dr. Campbell went to her and gave her something that would
help her. Melanctha came out from the other room and did things as he
told her. They together made 'Mis' Herbert more comfortable and easy,
and soon she was again in her deep sleep.
Dr. Campbell went back to the steps where he had been sitting.
Melanctha came and stood a little while beside him, and then she sat
down and watched him reading. By and by they began with their talking.
Jeff Campbell began to feel that perhaps it was all different. Perhaps
it was not just play, with Melanctha. Anyway he liked it very well
that she was with him. He began to tell her about the book he was just
reading.
Melanctha was very intelligent always in her questions. Jefferson knew
now very well that she had a good mind. They were having a very good
time, talking there together. And then they began again to get quiet.
"It certainly was very good in you to come back and talk to me Miss
Melanctha," Jefferson said at last to her, for now he was almost
certain, it was no game she was playing. Melanctha really was a good
woman, and she had a good mind, and she had a real, strong sweetness,
and she could surely really teach him. "Oh I always like to talk to
you Dr. Campbell" said Melanctha, "And then you was only just honest
to me, and I always like it when a man is really honest to me." Then
they were again very silent, sitting there together, with the lamp
between them, that was always smoking. Melanctha began to lean a
little more toward Dr. Campbell, where he was sitting, and then
she took his hand between her two and pressed it hard, but she said
nothing to him. She let it go then and leaned a little nearer to him.
Jefferson moved a little but did not do anything in answer. At last,
"Well," said Melanctha sharply to him. "I was just thinking" began Dr.
Campbell slowly, "I was just wondering," he was beginning to get ready
to go on with his talking. "Don't you ever stop with your thinking
long enough ever to have any feeling Jeff Campbell," said Melanctha a
little sadly. "I don't know," said Jeff Campbell slowly, "I don't know
Miss Melanctha much about that. No, I don't stop thinking much Miss
Melanctha and if I can't ever feel without stopping thinking, I
certainly am very much afraid Miss Melanctha that I never will do
much with that kind of feeling. Sure you ain't worried Miss Melanctha,
about my really not feeling very much all the time. I certainly do
think I feel some, Miss Melanctha, even though I always do it without
ever knowing how to stop with my thinking." "I am certainly afraid I
don't think much of your kind of feeling Dr. Campbell." "Why I think
you certainly are wrong Miss Melanctha I certainly do think I feel as
much for you Miss Melanctha, as you ever feel about me, sure I do. I
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