The Little Missis. Charlotte Skinner
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Название: The Little Missis
Автор: Charlotte Skinner
Издательство: Bookwire
Жанр: Языкознание
isbn: 4064066129767
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"HE WAS STANDING ON THE PAVEMENT LOOKING A SAD, SOLITARY FIGURE."
RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY
OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES
CHAPTER I
HIS PURPOSE
Creak—creak—creak! went the old mangle—one of the box sort, weighted with stones.
"Are you dreadfully busy, Mrs. Colston?" called out a clear, young voice.
"Bless me, is that you, Miss Phebe?" and the mangle was suddenly silent. "No, I'm not dreadfully busy, and in two minutes I was going to make myself some tea; and if you——"
"Oh, won't I, rather! I should just think I will, you dearie; and I'll get it ready, too, while you play your last tune on your old organ."
Creak, creak, went the mangle, clatter went the cups, and in less than ten minutes the two were seated at a little round three-legged table enjoying tea and talk.
"Can't think what's the matter with you to-day, Miss Phebe. Have you got a new dress on, or have you been doing something to your complexion, or what is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, looking very intently across the table.
"I have got my old dress on, and have not even washed my face in dew."
"Well, then, what is it?—Ah, I know! you've fallen in love."
"Yes, I fell in love with you a long time ago," answered her visitor demurely; "but I see you've guessed my secret, you are so clever. The fact is, I have got two secrets to tell you. I wonder which I should bring out first!"
The old mangle woman got up from her arm-chair, and, going to where the girl was sitting, took the fair young face into her hands and kissed the right cheek, saying, as the tears started to her eyes: "There, my dear; that's in place of your mother's kiss, and," kissing the other cheek, "that's for myself."
Resuming her seat there was silence for a minute or two, and then Mrs. Colston, said: "I think I can guess both your secrets. The first is, you have given yourself to Jesus; and the second is, you have promised to marry Stephen Collins."
"Oh, dear, no," exclaimed the girl, rising from her seat. "Why, he has never asked me. Besides—no, I have promised to marry Ralph Waring."
"Ralph Waring!" repeated the old woman, and then there was an awkward silence.
"Oh, dear Mrs. Colston, you do not think I have done wrong, do you?" exclaimed the girl, sinking on her knees in front of her old friend, "say you do not!"
"No, no, dearie; I don't exactly, but it's took me by surprise," and putting both her arms round her neck she kissed her again. "No, dearie, don't think that. Ralph is a very good young man, but I know very well how much Steve loves you."
"It is strange," mused the girl; "Ralph asked me if I loved him more than I did Stephen, and I said of course I did." Then, rising to her feet, she said with a ring of pride in her voice, "You know Ralph is so clever; you should hear him give some of his lectures! He is a great favourite at several men's meetings. His great ambition is to be a Member of Parliament. He is sure to be mayor some day."
"He does a good business, doesn't he?"
"Just fancy, now, you thinking about that; I see, after all, you have an eye to money. I never thought it of you," and then Miss Phebe laughed quite naturally, and the little cloud which seemed to have risen between them cleared away and the sun shone again.
"Why shouldn't I? We can't live without it—but bless me, your cup is empty: what can I be thinking of?"
Phebe commenced drinking her second cup, never noticing that her companion had not touched the first one yet. "Now tell me all about the other secret: that's more interesting to me, you know, for it's so long since I fell in love I forget what it's like."
"But it is a long time since you first loved Jesus, and you don't forget what that is like."
"Ah! that's different, you see. He never changes; men and women do. But never you mind about my love affairs: tell me yours."
Phebe rose and went and stood in front of the window, looking into the little bricked yard through which she had entered the house. There were some scarlet geraniums in the window doing duty in place of a curtain, and her cheeks seemed to have caught the hue of the blossoms.
"You know for a long time I have wanted to be a Christian."
"Yes;" and Mrs. Colston poked the fire during the pause. It was strange for Miss Phebe to continue the conversation while her back was towards her friend; many people can speak openly about earthly love matters, but are shy when the Great Lover is concerned.
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