Never had
the bond between her and her boy been drawn so firm and strong.
Many visitors came this day to the quiet Chapel-house. First of
all Mrs. Farquhar appeared. She looked very different from the
Jemima Bradshaw of three years ago. Happiness had called out
beauty; the colouring of her face was lovely, and vivid as that
of an autumn day; her berry red lips scarce closed over the short
white teeth for her smiles; and her large dark eyes glowed and
sparkled with daily happiness. They were softened by a mist of
tears as she looked upon Ruth.
"Lie still! Don't move! You must be content to-day to be waited
upon, and nursed! I have just seen Miss Benson in the lobby, and
had charge upon charge not to fatigue you. Oh, Ruth! how we all
love you, now we have you back again! Do you know, I taught Rosa
to say her prayers as soon as ever you were gone to that horrid
place, just on purpose that her little innocent lips might pray
for you--I wish you could hear her say it--'Please, dear God,
keep Ruth safe.' Oh, Leonard! are not you proud of your mother?"
Leonard said "Yes," rather shortly, as if he were annoyed that
any one else should know, or even have a right to imagine, how
proud he was. Jemima went on--
"Now, Ruth! I have got a plan for you. Walter and I have partly
made it; and partly it's papa's doing. Yes, dear! papa has been
quite anxious to show his respect for you. We all want you to go
to the dear Eagle's Crag for this next month, and get strong, and
have some change in that fine air at Abermouth.
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