登陆注册
5382100000012

第12章 CHAPTER II(7)

During her absence, Jenny's difficulty of breathing had suddenly become worse, and the girls had, on their own responsibility, put her to bed, and were standing round her in dismay, when Mrs. Mason's return home (only a few minutes before Ruth arrived) fluttered them back into the workroom. And now all was confusion and hurry; a doctor to be sent for; a mind to be unburdened of directions for a dress to a forewoman, who was too ill to understand; scoldings to be scattered with no illiberal hand amongst a group of frightened girls, hardly sparing the poor invalid herself for her inopportune illness. In the middle of all this turmoil Ruth crept quietly to her place, with a heavy saddened heart at the indisposition of the gentle forewoman. She would gladly have nursed Jenny herself, and often longed to do it, but she could not be spared. Hands, unskilful in fine and delicate work, would be well enough qualified to tend the sick, until the mother arrived from home. Meanwhile, extra diligence was required in the workroom;and Ruth found no opportunity of going to see little Tom, or to fulfil the plans for making him and his grandmother more comfortable, which she had proposed to herself. She regretted her rash promise to Mr. Bellingham, of attending to the little boy's welfare; all that she could do was done by means of Mrs. Mason's servant, through whom she made inquiries, and sent the necessary help. The subject of Jenny's illness was the prominent one in the house. Ruth told of her own adventure, to be sure; but, when she was at the very crisis of the boy's fall into the river, the more fresh and vivid interest of some tidings of Jenny was brought into the room, and Ruth ceased, almost blaming herself for caring for anything besides the question of life or death to be decided in that very house. Then a pale, gentle-looking woman was seen moving softly about; and it was whispered that this was the mother come to nurse her child. Everybody liked her, she was so sweet-looking, and gave so little trouble, and seemed so patient, and so thankful, for any inquiries about her daughter, whose illness it was understood, although its severity was mitigated, was likely to be long and tedious. While all the feelings and thoughts relating to Jenny were predominant, Sunday arrived. Mrs. Mason went the accustomed visit to her father's, making some little show of apology to Mrs. Wood for leaving her and her daughter; the apprentices dispersed to the various friends with whom they were in the habit of spending the day; and Ruth went to St. Nicholas', with a sorrowful heart, depressed on account of Jenny, and self-reproachful at having rashly undertaken what she had been unable to perform. As she came out of church she was joined by Mr. Bellingham. She had half hoped that he might have forgotten the arrangement, and yet she wished to relieve herself of her responsibility. She knew his step behind her, and the contending feelings made her heart beat hard, and she longed to run away. "Miss Hilton, I believe," said he, overtaking her, and bowing forward, so as to catch a sight of her rose-red face. "How is our little sailor going on? Well, I trust, from the symptoms the other day." "I believe, sir, he is quite well now. I am very sorry, but I have not been able to go and see him. I am so sorry--I could not help it. But Ihave got one or two things through another person. I have put them down on this slip of paper; and here is your purse, sir, for I am afraid I can do nothing more for him. We have illness in the house, and it makes us very busy." Ruth had been so much accustomed to blame of late, that she almost anticipated some remonstrance or reproach now, for not having fulfilled her promise better. She little guessed that Mr. Bellingham was far more busy trying to devise some excuse for meeting her again, during the silence that succeeded her speech, than displeased with her for not bringing a more particular account of the little boy, in whom he had ceased to feel any interest. She repeated, after a minute's pause-- "I am very sorry I have done so little, sir." "Oh, yes, I am sure you have done all you could. It was thoughtless in me to add to your engagements." "He is displeased with me," thought Ruth, "for what he believes to have been neglect of the boy, whose life he risked his own to save. If I told all, he would see that I could not do more; but I cannot tell him all the sorrows and worries that have taken up my time." "And yet I am tempted to give you another little commission, if it is not taking up too much of your time, and presuming too much on your good nature,"said he, a bright idea having just struck him. "Mrs. Mason lives in Heneage Place, does not she? My mother's ancestors lived there; and once, when the house was being repaired, she took me in to show me the old place.

There was an old hunting-piece painted on a panel over one of the chimney-pieces;the figures were portraits of my ancestors. I have often thought I should like to purchase it, if it still remained there. Can you ascertain this for me, and bring me word next Sunday?" "Oh, yes, sir," said Ruth, glad that this commission was completely within her power to execute, and anxious to make up for her previous seeming neglect.

"I'll look directly I get home, and ask Mrs. Mason to write and let you know." "Thank you," said he, only half satisfied; "I think, perhaps, however, it might be as well not to trouble Mrs. Mason about it you see it would compromise me, and I am not quite determined to purchase the picture; if you would ascertain whether the painting is there, and tell me, I would take a little time to reflect, and afterwards I could apply to Mrs. Mason myself." "Very well, sir; I will see about it." So they parted. Before the next Sunday Mrs. Wood had taken her daughter to her distant home, to recruit in that quiet place. Ruth watched her down the street from an upper window, and, sighing deep and long, returned to the workroom, whence the warning voice and gentle wisdom had departed.

同类推荐
  • 大明玄教立成斋醮仪范

    大明玄教立成斋醮仪范

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 醒世姻缘传

    醒世姻缘传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 遼陽聞見錄

    遼陽聞見錄

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 十二游经

    十二游经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 悟真篇

    悟真篇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 我有秘籍

    我有秘籍

    少年,我看你骨骼精奇,乃是万中无一的武学奇才!维护世界和平,拯救世界的重任,就交托给你了!我这有本秘籍--《龙象般若功》,相见便是有缘。只需一个誓言,它就是你的了!当然,你要不满意这功法,这里还有--《九阳神功》,《独孤九剑》,《葵花宝典》!种类很多的。叔叔,我今年四岁了!不是三岁小孩子!
  • 冷帝皇后爱跑路

    冷帝皇后爱跑路

    【非女强。群号:325200257】皇后是浮云,皇帝是神马。他说:“追你,是我前半生要做的事。”“宠你,是我永远忘不了的事。”“至于爱你,是我生生世世的事。”历经一切,只为做到这三句话。她以为自己只是他的棋子,不想沦为棋子,所以她逃了。你跑,我追,你再跑,我再追,说不定一不小心,我们就白头到老了。一代帝皇,丢了心,能否追回自己的小皇后呢?红绸帐,龙诞香,谁许异世皇后,天天伴君旁?(情节虚构,切勿模仿)
  • 奉子成婚,错遇总裁上司

    奉子成婚,错遇总裁上司

    尹静恩做梦也没有想到,五年前那一次醉意朦胧的意外,竟会被大肆曝光于人前!@他是赫赫有名的豪门贵绅柏三少,要风得风、要雨得雨。她是名不见经传的小秘书,负责给他解决一切大小麻烦。他漫不经心地问她,“知道我为什么挑你当秘书吗?”她避开他放射出迷人电波的瞳眸,“因为我有自知之明。”他笑得意味深长:确实,她聪明、漂亮、冷静又能干,但她真正让他念念不舍的是……他温热的大掌覆上她白皙的手背,“要不要一直留在我身边?”“……”她勉强忍住了落荒而逃的冲动,因为有足够的理智让她不能误会。可是,五年后却突然爆出了一则震撼A市的离奇传闻,“首席女秘书情陷柏三少,暗渡陈仓养下四岁幼儿……”@奉子成婚,入主第一豪门,她成了全城艳羡的幸运灰姑娘。新婚夜。头上的白纱被挑落,迎上一双深不可测的墨眸,“无论贫穷富贵,无论健康疾病,一生一世,嗯?”他念着结婚誓词,步步逼近。她面色苍白地后退,“三少,你喝多了——”他炙烫的男性气息却已铺天盖地压下来,“芷晴……”衣衫碎裂之时,她滚热的泪水也潸然而下,灼穿了疼痛的心,“……”@婚后。他依旧绯闻无数,她从不过问,他也从不提起五年前的那一晚。从秘书变成妻子,她永远是那一付微笑着帮他肃清麻烦的淡漠面孔。直到那个人从尘封的记忆里逆光破空而来,她递来一份离婚协议——他冷笑,“为了他,连十月怀胎的儿子都不要了,不后悔吗?”她的心口重重一窒:柏君曜,你永远不会知道,这辈子,我最后悔的就是遇见你!——第一最好不相见,如此便可不相恋。如果人生能够再来一次,我不要再沉沦进你沾有毒性的温柔里。@PS:简介都是浮云,其实这是个宠文。男主【霸道+深沉+腹黑】。
  • 三国之小军师

    三国之小军师

    韩飞,字子聪。辅佐刘备在汉末乱世中挣扎求生,收拢各方贤臣猛将,最终一统汉天下。世人赞他算无遗策,识人无双。然而只有他自己知道,它并非这个时代的人,实乃一个爱玩三国游戏的穿越众而已。强烈推荐《甄帅向往的生活》
  • 心理大师揭秘158个心灵密码(教你成功丛书15本)

    心理大师揭秘158个心灵密码(教你成功丛书15本)

    人们都在追寻着幸福与快乐,为了获得幸福的生活,整天忙忙碌碌,努力去挣更多的钱、去买更大的房子,去买更好的车。然而当真正拥有了这些的时候,却发现自己仍然不快乐。我们为什么会不快乐?怎样才能得到真正的快乐?本书对心灵进行了深入浅出的讲解,使滚滚红尘中忙碌的人们在智慧中提升心灵修养、缓解生存压力、培养愉悦心态、享受智慧人生。
  • 狂妃嫁到,世子笑一个

    狂妃嫁到,世子笑一个

    本文女主智商在线走甜宠路线不喜勿喷欢迎加收藏多多评论哦暗夜神偷一朝穿越,只为在这乱世守护家人安稳,再撩些帅哥完了自己上辈子的心愿。不料向往的慢慢撩汉路竟然被这个行动派的世子半路拦截,好吧既然是你先勾引我的,你就要负责哦。什么?我家富可敌国,不不不我还要更多的金子什么?那白莲花竟然又来捞便宜,还不给我打出去什么?世子已经求得婚书,快藏起我的那些情书别被发现了某天没爹疼没娘爱的神偷终于打算洗手不干时,华丽丽的穿越了好吧,此处也甚好,鸟语花香,金子不少,还有眼前萌萌哒的小正太,,,,
  • 武道封神榜

    武道封神榜

    一个个神秘之地,一个个谜团,至强残喘,亘古之局,这背后究竟有怎样的秘辛?武道封神榜从一个少年身上觉醒……引导少年走向一条传说之路。……武道从修仙的盛世崛起,而一切修武的传说也从这里开始。……
  • 我与贫困生

    我与贫困生

    书中共写了五十九个贫困生,和被资助的贫困生及各家长、同事的来往书信二百三十三封文件。张世贤是个正厅级退休官员,他有优厚的待遇,有不错的居室,有贤惠的妻子,有自强自立的子女,完全可以在家享清福,颐养天年,尽享天伦之乐。而他却恰恰相反,白天,骑上一辆“侯宝林的自行车”,除了铃铛不响哪儿都响,挎上一个大提包,里面装上自己写的书、正在读的书、笔记本、一把笔、还有瓜籽、干馍片和药瓶……
  • The Ebb-Tide

    The Ebb-Tide

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 忘川归来

    忘川归来

    第一世昆仑山巅,魔神战死之地,生出一朵通体漆黑的莲花,众仙深感不详,意欲除之。寿与天齐的昭华上神,游历八荒,强大恣意,将黑莲移到自家后院莲池中,助其成仙。“她简单,淳朴,没有心机,还很淘气,有时像个孩子一样脆弱,有时又勇敢得不顾一切。”“在我心中,她是这个世间最美好的女子。”这样一个女子,终还他再造之恩,为他挡下致命一击。报恩吗?是爱。第二世阴司末位拘魂使,谁也想不到的身份,她无忧无虑三百年。胥离,昭华上神以本名和她开始了新的缘分。消魂钉根根刺入,她将魂飞魄散永无再凝之日。纵然苦等八百年,他和她的结局还是不曾改变吗?他不由得惨然一笑,终究是他的执念害了她。第三世前尘往事,尽归尘土。再相见,已不识眼前人。“你怎么哭了?”“我看见了一个人,可我想不起他是谁。”缘浅缘深,路长路短,能携手走过一遭已是幸事,还有什么可执着的呢。