"It is a lovely day,
and I want the solace of a quiet hour's talk with you."
So they went, and sat in silence some time, looking at the calm and still
blue air about the summits of the hills, where never tumult of the world
came to disturb the peace, and the quiet of whose heights was never broken
by the loud passionate cries of men.
"I am glad you like my thorn-tree," said Maggie.
"I like the view from it. The thought of the solitude which must be among
the hollows of those hills pleases me particularly to-day. Oh, Maggie! it
is one of the times when I get depressed about men and the world. We have
had such sorrow, and such revelations, and remorse, and passion at home
to-day. Crayston (my father's old tenant) has come over. It seems--I am
afraid there is no doubt of it--he has been peculating to a large amount.
My father has been too careless, and has placed his dependents in great
temptation; and Crayston--he is an old man, with a large extravagant
family--has yielded. He has been served with notice of my father's
intention to prosecute him; and came over to confess all, and ask for
forgiveness, and time to pay back what he could. A month ago, my father
would have listened to him, I think; but now, he is stung by Mr. Henry's
sayings, and gave way to a furious passion. It has been a most distressing
morning. The worst side of everybody seems to have come out.
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