Grandmother

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Richards Laura Elizabeth Howe. Grandmother

CHAPTER I. HOW SHE CAME TO THE VILLAGE

CHAPTER II. HOW THE FIRST LINE CAME IN HER FACE

CHAPTER III. HOW SHE PLAYED WITH THE CHILDREN

CHAPTER IV. HOW SHE SANG GRANDFATHER TO SLEEP

CHAPTER V. HOW THE SECOND LINE CAME IN HER FOREHEAD

CHAPTER VI. HOW SHE WENT VISITING

CHAPTER VII. HOW THE LIGHT CAME TO HER

CHAPTER VIII. HOW HER HAIR TURNED WHITE

CHAPTER IX. HOW SHE FOUND PEACE

Отрывок из книги

Rachel did not kill herself, nor go crazy; nor did she even go away, as she threatened to do when she wearied of announcing her imminent death. She stayed and made things unpleasant for Grandmother. She was barely civil to her in Grandfather’s presence, for she dared not be otherwise; but the moment his back was turned she was grimacing and threatening behind it, and when he left the room she would break out into open taunt and menace. There was no name too hateful for her to call the pale girl who never reviled her in turn; but Grandmother’s very silence was turned against her.

“You needn’t think that I don’t know why you’re dumb as a fish!” raved the frantic girl. “You know what I say is true, and you darsn’t speak! you darsn’t! you darsn’t! – ” She stopped short; for Grandmother had come and taken her by both wrists, and stood gazing at her.

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“Manuel,” she said; “listen! I was alone. Father died. There was no woman save old Emilia – ” the lad uttered an oath, but she hurried on. “I could not – I could not stay. I meant to die; I thought you dead, and I – I was going up into the great snow to end it, when – a good old man came. Old, old, white as winter, but good as Heaven. He saved me, Manuel; he brought me here to his home, and it is mine too. I am his wife, Manuel.”

“His wife!” The young man stared incredulous, his dark eyes full of pain and trouble. “His wife – an old man! You, my Pitia?” Suddenly his face broke into laughter.

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