The water bubbled over the pitcher unheeded. At last she remembered all the
work-a-day world. She lifted up the jug, and would have hurried home, but
Frank decidedly took it from her.
"Henceforward," said he, "I have a right to carry your burdens." So with
one arm round her waist and with the other carrying the water, they climbed
the steep turfy slope. Near the top she wanted to take it again.
"Mamma will not like it. Mamma will think if so strange."
"Why, dearest, if I saw Nancy carrying it up this slope I would take it
from her. It would be strange if a man did not carry it for any woman.
But you must let me tell your mother of my right to help you. If is your
dinner-time is it not? I may come in to dinner as one of the family may not
I Maggie?"
"No" she said softly. For she longed to be alone; and she dreaded being
overwhelmed by the expression of her mother's feelings, weak and agitated
as she felt herself. "Not to-day."
"Not to-day!" said he reproachfully. "You are very hard upon me. Let me
come to tea. If you will, I will leave you now. Let me come to early tea. I
must speak to my father. He does not know I am here. I may come to tea. At
what time is it? Three o'clock. Oh, I know you drink tea at some strange
early hour; perhaps it is at two. I will take care to be in time."
"Don't come till five, please. I must tell mamma; and I want some time to
think.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74