My Fire Opal, and Other Tales

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Sarah Warner Brooks. My Fire Opal, and Other Tales

PREFACE

MY FIRE OPAL

THE STORY OF JOHN GRAVESEND

A BUNCH OF VIOLETS

A DISASTROUS SLEIGH-RIDE

TUCKERED OUT

A PRISON CHILD

ESCAPED

Отрывок из книги

WELL, have it all your own way, Isabel," meekly conceded Alcibiades; "but really, now, you ought not to be left here alone. Couldn't you have managed to invite company for a day or two – Aunt Maria, say, or Alice Barnes, or Emma and the baby?"

"Company!" mocked I, "that now is like a man! Here am I planning to give poor, overworked Cicely a day or two off, while you are all away and the housework at its minimum, and straightway you propose company! – which, of course, implies regular meals and extra chamber work.

.....

A single hour could scarce have passed, when I was aroused by a slight jar, as of some one leaning heavily against the frame of the shed, directly where I had made my bed. In a moment I was broad awake, and, with my heart in my mouth, intently listening. I now sorely regretted having left my lamp burning; and wished I had, at least, plugged the wide knot-hole looking street-ward. The one small window, opening on our own premises, I had carefully darkened, but had forgotten to screen this irregular look-out. Luckily, it did not command, from the outside, my impromptu bed.

Directly beneath it, I could now hear footsteps. Evidently, an investigation was being made by some person outside. I managed to get upon my feet, and thus await the dreaded issue.

.....