He was penniless, she was rich, but
to that sufficiently discouraging obstacle, no paralyzing sense of
caste inferiority was added, in his mind.
Despite the dilatory and absent-minded procedure of the young man, by
the time Prudence came out to call him in to the breakfast of fried
pork and johnny-cake, the chores were done, and afterwards he had only
to concern himself with his toilet. He stood a long time gazing
ruefully at his coat, so sadly threadbare and white in the seams. It
was his only one, and very old, but Prudence thought, when with a sigh
he finally drew it on, that she had never seen so fine a soldier, and,
indeed, the coat did look much better on than off, for a gallant
bearing will, to some extent, redeem the most dilapidated attire.
Reuben had grown stronger from day to day, and though still weak, it
was thought that he could well enough take care of George Fennell,
during the forenoon, and allow the rest of the family to go to
meeting. Perez had tinkered up the old cart, and contrived a harness
out of ropes, by which his own horse could be attached to it, the farm
horse having been long since sold off, and Mrs. Hamlin, who by reason
of infirmities, had long been debarred from the privileges of the
sanctuary, expected to be able by this means, to be present there this
morning, to offer up devout thanksgiving for the mercy which had so
wonderfully, in one week, restored her two sons to her.
Pages:
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209