Drusilla with a Million — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Drusilla with a Million
John Stuart Mill · en
When Mrs. Smith came herself to tell her that Mr. Thornton had arrived,
and in a motor car, she trembled so that she feared she would not be
able to go down to meet him. But finally she put on the little bonnet
that she had worn for many years, and her "mantle"--an antiquated wrap
that had been given her by some kindly patron of former years--and went
down the stairs. Mr. Thornton looked at the little old lady as she came
into the room--this little, kindly-faced, white-haired old woman, who
showed so plainly that life had sent her sorrow but not bitterness--and
offered her his hand, saying:
"I am glad you are ready, Miss Doane. We will have a nice ride to the
city."
Drusilla looked up at him like a pitiful child.
"I--I--may I set down a minute--I--I'm rather trembly. I--I didn't
sleep last night a-thinkin' of it all."
She sat down and tried to still the trembling of her lips and keep the
tears from her eyes. Then, after a few moments, she said:
"Will you wait here or somewhere, Mr. Thornton? I want to say good-by.
Mis' Smith thought I hadn't better see the ladies until I was ready to
leave, as it might upset them."
"I will wait in the car for you, Miss Doane. Don't hurry; take all the
time you want."
Drusilla went to the sunny veranda where she knew she would find the
women in their accustomed places, and immediately she was the center of
the curious old ladies, who welcomed any excitement that would relieve
the monotony of their lives.
"It's true, Drusilla--then it's true, you're-a-goin' to leave us! It's
true what Mis' Graham heard Mis' Smith tell Mr. Smith last night."
"What did she hear her say?"
"She heard her say, 'What do you think, James! Drusilla Doane has been
left a million dollars!'"
"That's what the man told me," Drusilla said quietly; "and he's come to
take me away. I come to say good-by."
The women sat forward in their chairs and stopped their knitting or
darning, so that they would not miss a word.
"Well, I swan! A million dollars! A _million dollars_!"
"Is it true, Drusilla? Do you think it can be so _much_?"
"I don't know--that's what he said. He's waitin' for me and I must be
goin'. Good-by, dear Harriet. Good-by, Caroline. Good-by, Mis' Graham;
you always been good to me. Good-by, Mis' Fisher; I ain't never goin'
to fer-get how good you was to me when I was sick. Good-by all,
good-by. I'm comin' often to see you. Good-by."
She looked slowly around on her friends, then walked down the veranda
to the waiting motor. Just as she reached it old Barbara came shuffling
up to her. "Oh, Drusilla," she mumbled, taking her hand, "I'm so glad
for you, I'm so glad. I hope it is a million dollars."
The loving touch was too much for tired Drusilla. The tears sprang to
her eyes and she clasped Barbara's hands in both of her own.
"Oh, Barbara," she said, "it gives me a hurt inside my heart to leave
you all behind! Listen, Barbara! Whether it's a million dollars or only
a hundred, you shall have new store teeth. Good-by!"