Then she played an air or two on a rude
kind of harp, which Caleb had contrived for Bertha,
and played them very well; for Nature had made her
delicate little ear as choice a one for music as it
would have been for jewels, if she had had any to
wear. By this time it was the established hour for
having tea; and Tackleton came back again, to share
the meal, and spend the evening.
Caleb and Bertha had returned some time before,
and Caleb had sat down to his afternoon's work.
But he couldn't settle to it, poor fellow, being anxious
and remorseful for his daughter. It was touching to
see him sitting idle on his working-stool, regarding
her so wistfully, and always saying in his face, 'Have
I deceived her from her cradle, but to break her
Heart!'
When it was night, and tea was done, and Dot had
nothing more to do in washing up the cups and sau-
cers; in a word -- for I must come to it, and there is
no use in putting it off -- when the time drew nigh for
expecting the Carrier's return in every sound of dis-
tant wheels, her manner changed again, her colour
came and went, and she was very restless.
Pages:
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103