Kendal's eye. Gilbert, too,
thanked her with less shyness than before, and was hopeful about the
remedy; and with the feeling of having made a beginning, she ran down
to tell Mr. Kendal that she thought he had hardly done justice to the
children--they were fine creatures--something so sweet and winning
about Lucy--she liked Gilbert's countenance--Sophy must have
something deep and noble in her.
He lifted his head to look at her bright face, and said, 'They are
very much obliged to you.'
'You must not say that, they are my own.'
'I will not say it again, but as I look at you, and the home to which
I have brought you, I feel that I have acted selfishly.'
Albinia timidly pressed his hand, 'Work was always what I wished,'
she said, 'if only I could do anything to lighten your grief and
care.'
He gave a deep, heavy sigh. Albinia felt that if he had hoped to
have lessened the sadness, he had surely found it again at his own
door. He roused himself, however, to say, 'This is using you ill,
Albinia; no one is more sensible of it than I am.'
'I never sought more than you can give,' she murmured; 'I only wish
to do what I can for you, and you will not let me disturb you.'
'I am very grateful to you,' was his answer; a sad welcome for a
bride. 'And these poor children will owe everything to you.'
'I wish I may do right by them,' said Albinia, fervently.
'The flower of the flock'--began Mr.
Pages:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26