Her pupils had been long returned from church, and had
busied themselves in preparing tea--an occupation which had
probably made them feel the time less long.
If they had ever seen a sleep-walker, they might have likened
Ruth to one for the next few days, so slow and measured did her
movements seem--so far away was her intelligence from all that
was passing around her--so hushed and strange were the tones of
her voice. They had letters from home, announcing the triumphant
return of Mr. Donne as M.P. for Eccleston. Mrs. Denbigh heard the
news without a word, and was too languid to join in the search
after purple and yellow flowers with which to deck the
sitting-room at Eagle's Crag.
A letter from Jemima came the next day, summoning them home. Mr.
Donne and his friends had left the place, and quiet was restored
in the Bradshaw household; so it was time that Mary and
Elizabeth's holiday should cease. Mrs. Denbigh had also a
letter--a letter from Miss Benson, saying that Leonard was not
quite well. There was so much pains taken to disguise anxiety,
that it was very evident much anxiety was felt; and the girls
were almost alarmed by Ruth's sudden change from taciturn languor
to eager, vehement energy. Body and mind seemed strained to
exertion. Every plan that could facilitate packing and winding up
affairs at Abermouth, every errand and arrangement that could
expedite their departure by one minute, was done by Ruth with
stern promptitude.
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