They had to wait for the coach. Ruth
buried her face in some flowers which Mrs. Hughes had given her
on parting; and was startled when the mail drew up with a sudden
pull, which almost threw the horses on their haunches. She was
placed inside, and the coach had set off again, before she was
fully aware that Mr. and Miss Benson were travelling on the
outside; but it was a relief to feel she might now cry without
exciting their notice. The shadow of a heavy thunder-cloud was on
the valley, but the little upland village-church (that showed the
spot in which so much of her life was passed) stood out clear in
the sunshine. She grudged the tears that blinded her as she
gazed. There was one passenger, who tried after a while to
comfort her.
"Don't cry, miss," said the kind-hearted woman. "You're parting
from friends, maybe? Well, that's bad enough; but, when you come
to my age, you'll think none of it. Why, I've three sons, and
they're soldiers and sailors, all of them--here, there, and
everywhere. One is in America, beyond the seas; another is in
China, making tea; and another is at Gibraltar, three miles from
Spain; and yet, you see, I can laugh and eat and enjoy myself. I
sometimes think I'll try and fret a bit, just to make myself a
better figure: but, Lord! it's no use, it's against my nature; so
I laugh and grow fat again. I'd be quite thankful for a fit of
anxiety as would make me feel easy in my clothes, which them
manty-makers will make so tight I'm fairly throttled.
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