She can live on
bread and water--we can all live on bread and water--rather than
that."
"Then I will speak to her and propose the plan. Oh, Thurstan!
from a child you could persuade me to anything! I hope I am doing
right. However much I oppose you at first, I am sure to yield
soon; almost in proportion to my violence at first. I think I am
very weak."
"No, not in this instance. We are both right: I, in the way in
which the child ought to be viewed; you, dear good Faith, for
thinking of taking her home with us. God bless you, dear, for
it!"
When Ruth began to sit up (and the strange, new, delicious
prospect of becoming a mother seemed to give her some mysterious
source of strength, so that her recovery was rapid and swift from
that time), Miss Benson brought her the letters and the
bank-note.
"Do you recollect receiving this letter, Ruth?" asked she, with
grave gentleness. Ruth changed colour, and took it and read it
again without making any reply to Miss Benson. Then she sighed,
and thought a while; and then took up and read the second
note--the note which Mrs. Bellingham had sent to Mr. Benson in
answer to his. After that she took up the bank-note and turned it
round and round, but not as if she saw it. Miss Benson noticed
that her fingers trembled sadly, and that her lips were quivering
for some time before she spoke.
"If you please, Miss Benson, I should like to return this money.
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