Edward had sold the
property of Mr. Buxton; and he, pleased with the possession of half the
purchase money (the remainder of which was to be paid by installments), and
happy in the idea that his son came over so frequently to see Erminia, had
amply rewarded the young attorney for his services.
One summer's day, as hot as day could be, Maggie had been busy all morning;
for the weather was so sultry that she would not allow either Nancy or
her mother to exert themselves much. She had gone down with the old brown
pitcher, coeval with herself, to the spring for water; and while it was
trickling, and making a tinkling music, she sat down on the ground. The
air was so still that she heard the distant wood-pigeons cooing; and round
about her the bees were murmuring busily among the clustering heath. From
some little touch of sympathy with these low sounds of pleasant harmony,
she began to try and hum some of Erminia's airs. She never sang out loud,
or put words to her songs; but her voice was very sweet, and it was a great
pleasure to herself to let it go into music. Just as her jug was filled,
she was startled by Frank's sudden appearance. She thought he was at
Cambridge, and, from some cause or other, her face, usually so faint in
color, became the most vivid scarlet. They were both too conscious to
speak. Maggie stooped (murmuring some words of surprise) to take up her
pitcher.
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