He was very angry, and
said some things about me that were very just, and some about
Ruth that were very hard. His last words were that he should give
up coming to chapel."
"Oh, Thurstan! did it come to that?"
"Yes."
"Does Ruth know all he said?"
"No! Why should she? I don't know if she knows he has spoken to
me at all. Poor creature! she had enough to craze her almost
without that! She was for going away and leaving us, that we
might not share in her disgrace. I was afraid of her being quite
delirious. I did so want you, Faith! However, I did the best I
could; I spoke to her very coldly, and almost sternly, all the
while my heart was bleeding for her. I dared not give her
sympathy; I tried to give her strength. But I did so want you,
Faith."
"And I was so full of enjoyment, I am ashamed to think of it. But
the Dawsons are so kind--and the day was so fine----Where is
Ruth now?"
"With Leonard. He is her great earthly motive--I thought that
being with him would be best. But he must be in bed and asleep
now."
"I will go up to her," said Miss Faith.
She found Ruth keeping watch by Leonard's troubled sleep; but
when she saw Miss Faith she rose up, and threw herself on her
neck and clung to her, without speaking. After a while Miss
Benson said--
"You must go to bed, Ruth!" So, after she had kissed the sleeping
boy, Miss Benson led her away, and helped to undress her, and
brought her up a cup of soothing violet-tea--not so soothing as
tender actions and soft, loving tones.
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