Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ...and he was going off towards the river some place--I guess he didn't want no one to foller him.' 'There aint no wet nor cold to hurt him, ' said Karen. There was not; but they missed him. And the house had been quiet, very quiet, for long after suppertime, when softly and cautiously one of the missing ones opened the door of the east-room and half came in. Only Karen sat there at the foot of the bed. Winnie came in and came up to her. 'He's not here, darlin', ' said the old woman, --' and ye needn't ha' started from him.--O cold face, and white face --what ha' you done with yourself, Winnie, to run away from him so? Ye needn't ha' feared him. Poor lamb --poor white lamb --' The girl sat down on the floor, and laid her face on Karen's lap, where the still tears ran very fast. 'Poor white lamb ' said the old woman, tenderly laying her wrinkled hand on Winnie's fair hair, --' Ye haven't eat a crumb--Karen'll fetch you a bit?--ye'll faint by the way--' Winnie shook her head. 'No--no.' 'What did you run away for?' Karen went on. 'Ye run away from your best comfort--but the Lord's help, Winnie;--he's the strongest of us all.' But something in that speech, Karen could not divine what, made Winnie sob convulsively; and she thought best to give up her attempts at counsel or comforting. The wearied and weakened child must have needed both, for she wept unceasingly on Karen's knees till late in the night; and then in sheer weariness the heavy eyelids closed upon the tears that were yet ready to come. She slumbered, with her head still on Karen's lap. 'Poor lamb ' said Karen, when she found it out, bending over to look at her, --' poor lamb --she'll die of this if the Governor can't help her, --and she's the Lord's child too.--Maybe best, poor...