Theministerfollowed，smiling，andnotunpleasantlyexcitedbythewarofelements;for，bydintofhardworkthroughthelongsummer’sday，thegreaterpartofthehaywassafelyhousedinthebarninthefield。OnceortwiceinthesucceedingbustleIcameacrossPhillis，alwaysbusy，and，asitseemedtome，alwaysdoingtherightthing。WhenIwasaloneinmyownroomatnightIallowedmyselftofeelrelieved;andtobelievethattheworstwasover，andwasnotsoverybadafterall。Butthesucceedingdayswereverymiserable。SometimesIthoughtitmustbemyfancythatfalselyrepresentedPhillistomeasstrangelychanged，forsurely，ifthisideaofminewaswell-founded，herparents——herfatherandmother——herownfleshandblood——wouldhavebeenthefirsttoperceiveit。Yettheywentonintheirhouseholdpeaceandcontent;ifanything，alittlemorecheerfullythanusual，forthe’harvestofthefirst-fruits’，astheministercalledit，hadbeenmorebounteousthanusual，andtherewasplentyallaroundinwhichthehumblestlabourerwasmadetoshare。Aftertheonethunderstorm，cameoneortwolovelyserenesummerdays，duringwhichthehaywasallcarried;andthensucceededlongsoftrainsfillingtheearsofcorn，andcausingthemowngrasstospringafresh。Theministerallowedhimselfafewmorehoursofrelaxationandhomeenjoymentthanusualduringthiswetspell：hardearth-boundfrostwashiswinterholiday;thesewetdays，afterthehayharvest，hissummerholiday。Wesatewithopenwindows，thefragranceandthefreshnesscalledoutbythesoft-fallingrainfillingthehouse-place;whilethequietceaselesspatteramongtheleavesoutsideoughttohavehadthesamelullingeffectasallothergentleperpetualsounds，suchasmill-wheelsandbubblingsprings，haveonthenervesofhappypeople。Buttwoofuswerenothappy。Iwassureenoughofmyself，forone。Iwasworsethansure，——IwaswretchedlyanxiousaboutPhillis。
Eversincethatdayofthethunderstormtherehadbeenanew，sharp，discordantsoundtomeinhervoice，asortofjangleinhertone;andherrestlesseyeshadnoquietnessinthem;andhercolourcameandwentwithoutacausethatIcouldfindout。Theminister，happyinignoranceofwhatmostconcernedhim，broughtouthisbooks;hislearnedvolumesandclassics。WhetherhereadandtalkedtoPhillis，ortome，Idonotknow;butfeelingbyinstinctthatshewasnot，couldnotbe，attendingtothepeacefuldetails，sostrangeandforeigntotheturmoilinherheart，Iforcedmyselftolisten，andifpossibletounderstand。
’Lookhere！’saidtheminister，tappingtheoldvellum-boundbookheheld;’inthefirstGeorgichespeaksofrollingandirrigation，alittlefurtheronheinsistsonchoiceofthebestseed，andadvisesustokeepthedrainsclear。Again，noScotchfarmercouldgiveshrewderadvicethantocutlightmeadowswhilethedewison，eventhoughitinvolvenight-work。Itisalllivingtruthinthesedays。’Hebeganbeatingtimewitharuleruponhisknee，tosomeLatinlineshereadaloudjustthen。
IsupposethemonotonouschantirritatedPhillistosomeirregularenergy，forIrememberthequickknottingandbreakingofthethreadwithwhichshewassewing。Ineverhearthatsnaprepeatednow，withoutsuspectingsomestingorstabtroublingtheheartoftheworker。CousinHolman，atherpeacefulknitting，noticedthereasonwhyPhillishadsoconstantlytointerrupttheprogressofherseam。
’Itisbadthread，I’mafraid，’shesaid，inagentlesympatheticvoice。
ButitwastoomuchforPhillis。
’Thethreadisbad——everythingisbad——Iamsotiredofitall！’Andsheputdownherwork，andhastilylefttheroom。IdonotsupposethatinallherlifePhillishadevershownsomuchtemperbefore。Inmanyafamilythetone，themanner，wouldnothavebeennoticed;buthereitfellwithasharpsurpriseuponthesweet，calmatmosphereofhome。Theministerputdownrulerandbook，andpushedhisspectaclesuptohisforehead。
Themotherlookeddistressedforamoment，andthensmoothedherfeaturesandsaidinanexplanatorytone，——’It’stheweather，Ithink。Somepeoplefeelitdifferenttoothers。Italwaysbringsonaheadachewithme。’Shegotuptofollowherdaughter，buthalf-waytothedoorshethoughtbetterofit，andcamebacktoherseat。Goodmother！shehopedthebettertoconcealtheunusualspirtoftemper，bypretendingnottotakemuchnoticeofit。’Goon，minister，’shesaid;’itisveryinterestingwhatyouarereadingabout，andwhenIdon’tquiteunderstandit，Ilikethesoundofyourvoice。’Sohewenton，butlanguidlyandirregularly，andbeatnomoretimewithhisrulertoanyLatinlines。Whentheduskcameon，earlythatJulynightbecauseofthecloudysky，Philliscamesoftlyback，makingasthoughnothinghadhappened。Shetookupherwork，butitwastoodarktodomanystitches;andshedroppeditsoon。ThenIsawhowherhandstoleintohermother’s，andhowthislatterfondleditwithquietlittlecaresses）
whiletheminister，asfullyawareasIwasofthistenderpantomime，wentontalkinginahappiertoneofvoiceaboutthingsasuninterestingtohim，atthetime，Iverybelieve，astheyweretome;andthatissayingagooddeal，andshowshowmuchmorerealwhatwaspassingbeforehimwas，eventoafarmer，thantheagriculturalcustomsoftheancients。
Irememberonethingmore，——anattackwhichBettytheservantmadeuponmeonedayasIcameinthroughthekitchenwhereshewaschurning）andstoppedtoaskherforadrinkofbuttermilk。
’Isay，cousinPaul，’（shehadadoptedthefamilyhabitofaddressingmegenerallyascousinPaul，andalwaysspeakingofmeinthatform，）’something’samisswithourPhillis，andIreckonyou’veagoodguesswhatitis。She’snotonetotakeupwi’suchasyou，’（notcomplimentary，butthatBettyneverwas，eventothoseforwhomshefeltthehighestrespect，）’butI’dasliefyonHoldsworthhadnevercomenearus。Sothereyou’veabito’
mymind。’
Andaveryunsatisfactorybititwas。Ididnotknowwhattoanswertotheglimpseattherealstateofthecaseimpliedintheshrewdwoman’sspeech;soItriedtoputheroffbyassumingsurpriseatherfirstassertion。
’AmisswithPhillis！Ishouldliketoknowwhyyouthinkanythingiswrongwithher。Shelooksasbloomingasanyonecando。’
’Poorlad！you’rebutabigchildafterall;andyou’velikelyneverhearedofafever-flush。Butyouknowbetternorthat，myfinefellow！
sodon’tthinkfortoputmeoffwi’bloomsandblossomsandsuch-liketalk。Whatmakesherwalkaboutforhoursandhourso’nightswhensheusedtobeabedandasleep？Isleepnextroomtoher，andhearherplainascanbe。Whatmakeshercomeinpantingandreadytodropintothatchair，’——noddingtooneclosetothedoor，——’andit’s\"Oh！Betty，somewater，please\"？
That’sthewayshecomesinnow，whensheusedtocomebackasfreshandbrightasshewentout。Ifyonfriendo’yourshasplayedherfalse，he’sadealfort’answerfor;she’salasswho’sassweetandassoundasanut，andtheveryappleofherfather’seye，andofhermother’stoo’onlywi’hersherankssecondtoth’minister。You’llhavetolookafteryonchap，forI，forone，willstandnowrongtoourPhillis。’
WhatwasItodo，ortosay？IwantedtojustifyHoldsworth，tokeepPhillis’ssecret，andtopacifythewomanallinthesamebreath。Ididnottakethebestcourse，I’mafraid。
’Idon’tbelieveHoldswortheverspokeawordof——oflovetoherinallhislife。I’msurehedidn’t。’
’Aye。aye！butthere’seyes，andthere’shands，aswellastongues;
andamanhastwoo’th’oneandbutoneo’t’other。’
’Andshe’ssoyoung;doyousupposeherparentswouldnothaveseenit？’
’Well！ifyouaxemethat，I’llsayoutboldly，\"No\"。They’vecalledher\"thechild\"solong——\"thechild\"isalwaystheirnameforherwhentheytalkonherbetweenthemselves，asifneveranybodyelsehadaewe-lambbeforethem——thatshe’sgrownuptobeawomanundertheirveryeyes，andtheylookonherstillasifshewereinherlongclothes。Andyoune’erheardonamanfallinginlovewi’ababbyinlongclothes！’
’No！’saidI，halflaughing。Butshewentonasgraveasajudge。
’Aye！youseeyou’lllaughatthebarethoughtonit——andI’llbeboundth’minister，thoughhe’snotalaughingman，wouldha’sniggledatth’
notionoffallinginlovewi’thechild。Where’sHoldsworthoffto？’
’Canada，’saidI，shortly。
’Canadahere，Canadathere，’shereplied，testily。’Tellmehowfarhe’soff，insteadofgivingmeyourgibberish。Isheatwodays’journeyaway？orathree？oraweek？’
’He’seversofaroff——threeweeksattheleast，’criedIindespair。
’Andhe’seithermarried，orjustgoingtobe。Sothere。’Iexpectedafreshburstofanger。Butno;thematterwastooserious。Bettysatedown，andkeptsilenceforaminuteortwo。Shelookedsomiserableanddowncast，thatIcouldnothelpgoingon，andtakingheralittleintomyconfidence。
’ItisquitetruewhatIsaid。Iknowheneverspokeawordtoher。
Ithinkhelikedher，butit’sallovernow。Thebestthingwecando——thebestandkindestforher——andIknowyouloveher，Betty——’
’Inursedherinmyarms;Igaveherlittlebrotherhislasttasteo’
earthlyfood，’saidBetty）puttingherapronuptohereyes。
’Well！don’tletusshowherweguessthatsheisgrieving;she’llgetoveritthesooner。Herfatherandmotherdon’tevenguessatit，andwemustmakeasifwedidn’t。It’stoolatenowtodoanythingelse。’
’I’llneverleton;Iknownought。I’veknowntruelovemysel’，inmyday。ButIwishhe’dbeenfarredbeforeheevercamenearthishouse，withhis\"PleaseBetty\"this，and\"PleaseBetty\"that，anddrinkingupournewmilkasifhe’dbeenacat。Ihatesuchbeguilingways。’
IthoughtitwasaswelltoletherexhaustherselfinabusingtheabsentHoldsworth;ifitwasshabbyandtreacherousinme，Icameinformypunishmentdirectly。
’It’sacautiontoamanhowhegoesaboutbeguiling。Somemendoitaseasyandinnocentascooingdoves。Don’tyoubenoneof’em，mylad。
Notthatyou’vegotthegiftstodoit，either;you’renogreatshakestolookat，neitherforfigure，noryetforface，anditwouldneedbeadeafaddertobetakeninwi’yourwords，thoughtheremaybenogreatharminem。Aladofnineteenortwentyisnotflatteredbysuchanout-spokenopinionevenfromtheoldestandugliestofhersex;andIwasonlytoogladtochangethesubjectbymyrepeatedinjunctionstokeepPhillis’ssecret。Theendofourconversationwasthisspeechofhers，——
’Yougreatgaupus，forallyou’recalledcousino’th’minister——manyaoneiscursedwi’foolsforcousins——d’yethinkIcan’tseesenseexceptthroughyourspectacles？Igiveyouleavetocutoutmytongue，andnailituponth’barn-doorforacautiontomagpies，ifIletoutonthatpoorwench，eithertoherself，oranyonethatishers，astheBiblesays。Nowyou’veheardmespeakScripturelanguage，perhapsyou’llbecontent，andleavememykitchentomyself。’
Duringallthesedays，fromthe5thofJulytothe17th，ImusthaveforgottenwhatHoldsworthhadsaidaboutcards。AndyetIthinkIcouldnothavequiteforgotten;but，oncehavingtoldPhillisabouthismarriage，Imusthavelookedupontheafterconsequenceofcardsasofnoimportance。
Atanyratetheycameuponmeasasurpriseatlast。Thepenny-postreform，aspeoplecallit，hadcomeintooperationashorttimebefore;butthenever-endingstreamofnotesandletterswhichseemnowtoflowinuponmosthouseholdshadnotyetbegunitscourse;atleastinthoseremoteparts。Therewasapost-officeatHornby;andanoldfellow，whostowedawaythefewlettersinanyorallhispockets，asitbestsuitedhim，wastheletter-carriertoHeathbridgeandtheneighbourhood。Ihaveoftenmethiminthelanesthereabouts，andaskedhimforletters。SometimesIhavecomeuponhim，sittingonthehedge-bankresting;andhehasbeggedmetoreadhimanaddress，tooillegibleforhisspectacledeyestodecipher。
WhenIusedtoinquireifhehadanythingforme，orforHoldsworth（hewasnotparticulartowhomhegaveuptheletters，sothathegotridofthemsomehow，andcouldsetoffhomewards），hewouldsayhethoughtthathehad，forsuchwashisinvariablesafeformofanswer;andwouldfumbleinbreast-pockets，waistcoat-pockets，breeches-pockets，and，asalastresource，incoat-tailpockets;andatlengthtrytocomfortme，ifIlookeddisappointed，bytellingme，’Hoohadmissedthistoime，butwassuretowriteto-morrow;’’Hoo’representinganimaginarysweetheart。
SometimesIhadseentheministerbringhomealetterwhichhehadfoundlyingforhimatthelittleshopthatwasthepost-officeatHeathbridge，orfromthegranderestablishmentatHornby。OnceortwiceJosiah，thecarter，rememberedthattheoldletter-carrierhadtrustedhimwithanepistleto’Measter’，astheyhadmetinthelanes。Ithinkitmusthavebeenabouttendaysaftermyarrivalatthefarm，andmytalktoPhilliscuttingbread-and-butteratthekitchendresser，beforethedayonwhichtheministersuddenlyspokeatthedinner-table，andsaid，——
’By-the-by，I’vegotaletterinmypocket。Reachmemycoathere，Phillis。’
Theweatherwasstillsultry，andforcoolnessandeasetheministerwassittinginhisshirt-sleeves。’IwenttoHeathbridgeaboutthepapertheyhadsentme，whichspoilsallthepens——andIcalledatthepost-office，andfoundaletterforme，unpaid，——andtheydidnotliketotrustittooldZekiel。Aye！hereitis！NowweshallhearnewsofHoldsworth，——I
thoughtI’dkeepittillwewerealltogether。’Myheartseemedtostopbeating，andIhungmyheadovermyplate，notdaringtolookup。Whatwouldcomeofitnow？WhatwasPhillisdoing？Howwasshelooking？Amomentofsuspense，——andthenhespokeagain。’Why！what’sthis？Herearetwovisitingticketswithhisnameon，nowritingatall。No！it’snothisnameonboth。MRSHoldsworth！Theyoungmanhasgoneandgotmarried。’
Iliftedmyheadatthesewords;IcouldnothelplookingjustforoneinstantatPhillis。Itseemedtomeasifshehadbeenkeepingwatchovermyfaceandways。Herfacewasbrilliantlyflushed;hereyesweredryandglittering;butshedidnotspeak;herlipsweresettogetheralmostasifshewaspinchingthemtighttopreventwordsorsoundscomingout。CousinHolman’sfaceexpressedsurpriseandinterest。
’Well！’saidshe，’who’dha’thoughtit！He’smadequickworkofhiswooingandwedding。I’msureIwishhimhappy。Letmesee’——countingonherfingers，——’October，November，December，January，February，March，April，May，June，July，——atleastwe’reatthe28th，——itisnearlytenmonthsafterall，andreckonamontheachwayoff——’
’Didyouknowofthisnewsbefore？’saidtheminister，turningsharproundonme，surprised，Isuppose，atmysilence，——hardlysuspicious，asyet。
’Iknew——Ihadheard——something。ItistoaFrenchCanadianyounglady，’
Iwenton，forcingmyselftotalk。’HernameisVentadour。’
’LucilleVentadour！’saidPhillis，inasharpvoice，outoftune。
’Thenyouknewtoo！’exclaimedtheminister。
Webothspokeatonce。Isaid，’Iheardoftheprobabilityof————andtoldPhillis。’Shesaid，’HeismarriedtoLucilleVentadour，ofFrenchdescent;oneofalargefamilynearSt。Meurice;amnotIright？’Inodded’Paultoldme，——thatisallweknow，isnotit？DidyouseetheHowsons，father，inHeathbridge？’andsheforcedherselftotalkmorethanshehaddoneforseveraldays，askingmanyquestions，trying，asIcouldsee，tokeeptheconversationofftheonerawsurface，onwhichtotouchwasagony。
Ihadlessself-command;butIfollowedherlead。IwasnotsomuchabsorbedintheconversationbutwhatIcouldseethattheministerwaspuzzledanduneasy;thoughhesecondedPhillis’seffortstopreventhermotherfromrecurringtothegreatpieceofnews，andutteringcontinualexclamationsofwonderandsurprise。Butwiththatoneexceptionwewerealldisturbedoutofournaturalequanimity，moreorless。Everyday，everyhour，Iwasreproachingmyselfmoreandmoreformyblunderingofficiousness。IfonlyIhadheldmyfoolishtongueforthatonehalf-hour;ifonlyIhadnotbeeninsuchimpatienthastetodosomethingtorelievepain！Icouldhaveknockedmystupidheadagainstthewallinmyremorse。YetallIcoulddonowwastosecondthebravegirlinhereffortstoconcealherdisappointmentandkeephermaidenlysecret。ButIthoughtthatdinnerwouldnever，nevercometoanend。Isufferedforher，evenmorethanformyself。UntilnoweverythingwhichIhadheardspokeninthathappyhouseholdweresimplewordsoftruemeaning。Ifwebadaughttosay，wesaidit;andifanyonepreferredsilence，nayifalldidso，therewouldhavebeennospasmodic，forcedeffortstotalkforthesakeoftalking，ortokeepoffintrusivethoughtsorsuspicions。
Atlengthwegotupfromourplaces，andpreparedtodisperse;buttwoorthreeofushadlostourzestandinterestinthedailylabour。Theministerstoodlookingoutofthewindowinsilence，andwhenherousedhimselftogoouttothefieldswherehislabourerswereworking，itwaswithasigh;andhetriedtoaverthistroubledfaceashepassedusonhiswaytothedoor。Whenhehadleftus，IcaughtsightofPhillis’sface，as，thinkingherselfunobserved，hercountenancerelaxedforamomentortwointosad，woefulweariness。Shestartedintobrisknessagainwhenhermotherspoke，andhurriedawaytodosomelittleerrandatherbidding。
Whenwetwowerealone，cousinHolmanrecurredtoHoldsworth’smarriage。
Shewasoneofthosepeoplewholiketoviewaneventfromeverysideofprobability，orevenpossibility;andshehadbeencutshortfromindulgingherselfinthiswayduringdinner。
’TothinkofMrHoldsworth’sbeingmarried！Ican’tgetoverit，Paul。
Notbutwhathewasaveryniceyoungman！Idon’tlikehername，though;
itsoundsforeign。Sayitagain，mydear。Ihopeshe’llknowhowtotakecareofhim，Englishfashion。Heisnotstrong，andifshedoesnotseethathisthingsarewellaired，Ishouldbeafraidoftheoldcough’
’Healwayssaidhewasstrongerthanhehadeverbeenbefore，afterthatfever。’
’Hemightthinkso，butIhavemydoubts。Hewasaverypleasantyoungman，buthedidnotstandnursingverywell。Hegottiredofbeingcoddled，ashecalledit。Jhopethey’llsooncomebacktoEngland，andthenhe’llhaveachanceforhishealth。Iwondernow，ifshespeaksEnglish;but，tobesure，hecanspeakforeigntongueslikeanything，asI’veheardtheministersay。’
Andsowewentonforsometime，tillshebecamedrowsyoverherknitting，onthesultrysummerafternoon;andIstoleawayforawalk，forIwantedsomesolitudeinwhichtothinkoverthings，and，alas！toblamemyselfwithpoignantstabsofremorse。
IloungedlazilyassoonasIgottothewood。Hereandtherethebubbling，brawlingbrookcircledroundagreatstone，orarootofanoldtree，andmadeapool;otherwiseitcoursedbrightlyoverthegravelandstones。
Istoodbyoneoftheseformorethanhalfanhour，or，indeed，longer，throwingbitsofwoodorpebblesintothewater，andwonderingwhatIcoulddotoremedythepresentstateofthings。Ofcourseallmymeditationwasofnouse;andatlengththedistantsoundofthehornemployedtotellthemenfarafieldtoleaveoffwork，warnedmethatitwassixo’clock，andtimeformetogohome。ThenIcaughtwaftsoftheloud-voicedsingingoftheeveningpsalm。AsIwascrossingtheAshfield，Isawtheministeratsomedistancetalkingtoaman。Icouldnothearwhattheyweresaying，butIsawanimpatientordissentient（Icouldnottellwhich）gestureonthepartoftheformer，whowalkedquicklyaway，andwasapparentlyabsorbedinhisthoughts，forthoughbepassedwithintwentyyardsofme，asbothourpathsconvergedtowardshome，hetooknonoticeofme。Wepassedtheeveninginawaywhichwasevenworsethandinner-time。Theministerwassilent，depressed，evenirritable。PoorcousinHolmanwasutterlyperplexedbythisunusualframeofmindandtemperinherhusband;shewasnotwellherself，andwassufferingfromtheextremeandsultryheat，whichmadeherlesstalkativethanusual。Phillis，usuallysoreverentlytendertoherparents，sosoft，sogentle，seemednowtotakenonoticeoftheunusualstateofthings，buttalkedtome——toanyone，onindifferentsubjects，regardlessofherfather’sgravity，ofhermother’spiteouslooksofbewilderment。
Butoncemyeyesfelluponherhands，concealedunderthetable，andI
couldseethepassionate，convulsivemannerinwhichshelacedandinterlacedherfingersperpetually，wringingthemtogetherfromtimetotime，wringingtillthecompressedfleshbecameperfectlywhite。WhatcouldIdo？Italkedwithher，asIsawshewished;hergreyeyeshaddarkcirclesroundthem。
andastrangekindofdarklightinthem;hercheekswereflushed，butherlipswerewhiteandwan。IwonderedthatothersdidnotreadthesesignsasclearlyasIdid。Butperhapstheydid;Ithink，fromwhatcameafterwards，theministerdid。
PoorcousinHolman！sheworshippedherhusband;andtheoutwardsignsofhisuneasinessweremorepatenttohersimpleheartthanwereherdaughter’s。
Afterawhileshecouldbearitnolonger。Shegotup，and，softlylayingherhandonhisbroadstoopingshoulder，shesaid，——
’Whatisthematter，minister？Hasanythinggonewrong？’
Hestartedasiffromadream。Phillishungherhead，andcaughtherbreathinterrorattheanswershefeared。Buthe，lookingroundwithasweepingglance，turnedhisbroad，wisefaceuptohisanxiouswife，andforcedasmile，andtookherhandinareassuringmanner。
’Iamblamingmyself，dear。Ihavebeenovercomewithangerthisafternoon。
IscarcelyknewwhatIwasdoing，butIturnedawayTimothyCooper。HehaskilledtheRibstonepippinatthecorneroftheorchard;goneandpiledthequicklimeforthemortarforthenewstablewallagainstthetrunkofthetree——stupidfellow！killedthetreeoutright——anditloadedwithapples！’
’AndRibstonepippinsaresoscarce，’saidsympatheticcousinHolman。
’Aye！ButTimothyisbutahalf-wit;andhehasawifeandchildren。
Hehadoftenputmetoitsore，withhisslothfulways，butIhadlaiditbeforetheLord，andstriventobearwithhim。ButIwillnotstanditanylonger，it’spastmypatience。Andhehasnoticetofindanotherplace。Wife，wewon’ttalkmoreaboutit。’Hetookherhandgentlyoffhisshoulder，toucheditwithhislips;butrelapsedintoasilenceasprofound，ifnotquitesomoroseinappearance，asbefore。Icouldnottellwhy，butthisbitoftalkbetweenherfatherandmotherseemedtotakeallthefactitiousspiritsoutofPhillis。Shedidnotspeaknow，butlookedoutoftheopencasementatthecalmlargemoon，slowlymovingthroughthetwilightsky。OnceIthoughthereyeswerefillingwithtears;
but，ifso，sheshookthemoff，andarosewithalacritywhenhermother，tiredanddispirited，proposedtogotobedimmediatelyafterprayers。
Weallsaidgood-nightinourseparatewaystotheminister，whostillsateatthetablewiththegreatBibleopenbeforehim，notmuchlookingupatanyofoursalutations，butreturningthemkindly。ButwhenI，lastofall，wasonthepointofleavingtheroom，hesaid，stillscarcelylookingup，——
’Paul，youwillobligemebystayinghereafewminutes。Iwouldfainhavesometalkwithyou。’
Iknewwhatwascoming，allinamoment。Icarefullyshut——tothedoor，putoutmycandle，andsatedowntomyfate。Heseemedtofindsomedifficultyinbeginning，for，ifIhadnotheardthathewantedtospeaktome，I
shouldneverhaveguessedit，heseemedsomuchabsorbedinreadingachaptertotheend。Suddenlyheliftedhisheadupandsaid，——
’Itisaboutthatfriendofyours，Holdsworth！Paul，haveyouanyreasonforthinkinghehasplayedtricksuponPhillis？’
Isawthathiseyeswereblazingwithsuchafireofangeratthebareidea，thatIlostallmypresenceofmind，andonlyrepeated，——
’PlayedtricksonPhillis！’
’Aye！youknowwhatImean：madelovetoher，courtedher，madeherthinkthathelovedher，andthengoneawayandlefther。Putitasyouwill，onlygivemeananswerofsomekindoranother——atrueanswer，I
mean——anddon’trepeatmywords，Paul。’
Hewasshakingalloverashesaidthis。Ididnotdelayamomentinansweringhim，——
’IdonotbelievethatEdwardHoldswortheverplayedtricksonPhillis，evermadelovetoher;henever，tomyknowledge，madeherbelievethathelovedher。’
Istopped;Iwantedtonerveupmycourageforaconfession，yetIwishedtosavethesecretofPhillis’sloveforHoldsworthasmuchasIcould;
thatsecretwhichshehadsostriventokeepsacredandsafe;andIhadneedofsomereflectionbeforeIwentonwithwhatIhadtosay。
HebeganagainbeforeIhadquitearrangedmymannerofspeech。Itwasalmostasiftohimself，——’Sheismyonlychild;mylittledaughter！Sheishardlyoutofchildhood;IhavethoughttogatherherundermywingsforyearstocomehermotherandIwouldlaydownourlivestokeepherfromharmandgrief。’Then，raisinghisvoice，andlookingatme，hesaid，’Somethinghasgonewrongwiththechild;anditseemedtometodatefromthetimesheheardofthatmarriage。ItishardtothinkthatyoumayknowmoreofhersecretcaresandsorrowsthanIdo，——butperhapsyoudo，Paul，perhapsyoudo，——only，ifitbenotasin，tellmewhatJcandotomakeherhappyagain;tellme。’
’Itwillnotdomuchgood，Iamafraid，’saidJ，’butIwillownhowwrongIdid;Idon’tmeanwronginthewayofsin，butinthewayofjudgment。
HoldsworthtoldmejustbeforehewentthathelovedPhillis，andhopedtomakeherhiswife，andItoldher。’
There！itwasout;allmypartinit，atleast;andIsetmylipstighttogether，andwaitedforthewordstocome。Ididnotseehisface;IlookedstraightatthewallOpposite;butIheardhimoncebegintospeak，andthenturnovertheleavesinthebookbeforehim。HowawfullystillthatroomwasITheairoutside，howstillitwas！Theopenwindowsletinnorustleofleaves，notwitterormovementofbirds——nosoundwhatever。Theclockonthestairs——theminister’shardbreathing——wasittogoonforever？Impatientbeyondbearingatthedeepquiet，Ispokeagain，——
’Ididitforthebest，asIthought。’
Theministershutthebooktohastily，andstoodup。ThenIsawhowangryhewas。
’Forthebest，doyousay？Itwasbest，wasit，togoandtellayounggirlwhatyounevertoldawordoftoherparents，whotrustedyoulikeasonoftheirown？’
Hebeganwalkingabout，upanddowntheroomcloseundertheopenwindows，churninguphisbitterthoughtsofme。
’Toputsuchthoughtsintothechild’shead，’continuedhe;’tospoilherpeacefulmaidenhoodwithtalkaboutanotherman’slove;andsuchlove，too，’hespokescornfullynow——alovethatisreadyforanyyoungwoman。
Oh，themiseryinmypoorlittledaughter’sfaceto-dayatdinner——themisery，Paul！Ithoughtyouwereonetobetrusted——yourfather’ssontoo，togoandputsuchthoughtsintothechild’smind;youtwotalkingtogetheraboutthatmanwishingtomarryher。’
Icouldnothelprememberingthepinafore，thechildishgarmentwhichPhillisworesolong，asifherparentswereunawareofherprogresstowardswomanhood。Justinthesamewaytheministerspokeandthoughtofhernow，asachild，whoseinnocentpeaceIhadspoiledbyvainandfoolishtalk。
Iknewthatthetruthwasdifferent，thoughIcouldhardlyhavetolditnow;but，indeed，Ineverthoughtoftryingtotell;itwasfarfrommymindtoaddoneiotatothesorrowwhichIhadcaused。Theministerwentonwalking，occasionallystoppingtomovethingsonthetable，orarticlesoffurniture，inasharp，impatient，meaninglessway，thenhebeganagain，——
’Soyoung，sopurefromtheworld！howcouldyougoandtalktosuchachild，raisinghopes，excitingfeelings——alltoendthus;andbestso，eventhoughIsawherpoorpiteousfacelookasitdid。Ican’tforgiveyou，Paul;itwasmorethanwrong——itwaswicked——togoandrepeatthatman’swords。’
Hisbackwasnowtothedoor，and，inlisteningtohislowangrytones，hedidnothearitslowlyopen，nordidheseePhillis。standingjustwithintheroom，untilheturnedround;thenhestoodstill。Shemusthavebeenhalfundressed;butshehadcoveredherselfwithadarkwintercloak，whichfellinlongfoldstoherwhite，naked，noiselessfeet。Herfacewasstrangelypale：hereyesheavyintheblackcirclesroundthem。Shecameuptothetableveryslowly，andleantherhanduponit，sayingmournfully，——
’Father，youmustnotblamePaul。Icouldnothelphearingagreatdealofwhatyouweresaying。Hedidtellme，andperhapsitwouldhavebeenwisernot，dearPaul！But——oh，dear！oh，dear！Iamsosickwithshame！
Hetoldmeoutofhiskindheart，becausehesaw——thatIwassoveryunhappyathisgoingaway。
Shehungherhead，andleantmoreheavilythanbeforeonhersupportinghand。
’Idon’tunderstand，’saidherfather;buthewasbeginningtounderstand。
Phillisdidnotanswertillheaskedheragain。Icouldhavestruckhimnowforhiscruelty;butthenIknewall。
’Ilovedhim，father！’shesaidatlength，raisinghereyestotheminister’sface。’Hadheeverspokenoflovetoyou？Paulsaysnot！’
’Never。’Sheletfallhereyes，anddroopedmorethanever。Ialmostthoughtshewouldfall。
’Icouldnothavebelievedit，’saidhe，inahardvoice，yetsighingthemomenthehadspoken。Adeadsilenceforamoment。’Paul！Iwasunjusttoyou。Youdeservedblame，butnotallthatIsaid。’Thenagainasilence。
IthoughtIsawPhillis’swhitelipsmoving，butitmighthavebeentheflickeringofthecandlelight——amothhadflowninthroughtheopencasement，andwasflutteringroundtheflame;Imighthavesavedit，butIdidnotcaretodoso，myheartwastoofullofotherthings。Atanyrate，nosoundwasheardforlongendlessminutes。Thenhesaid，——’Phillis！didwenotmakeyouhappyhere？Havewenotlovedyouenough？’
Shedidnotseemtounderstandthedriftofthisquestion;shelookedupasifbewildered，andherbeautifuleyesdilatedwithapainful，torturedexpression。Hewenton，withoutnoticingthelookonherface;hedidnotseeit，Iamsure。
’Andyetyouwouldhaveleftus，leftyourhome，leftyourfatherandyourmother，andgoneawaywiththisstranger，wanderingovertheworld。’
Hesuffered，too;thereweretonesofpaininthevoiceinwhichheutteredthisreproach。Probablythefatheranddaughterwereneversofarapartintheirlives，sounsympathetic。Yetsomenewterrorcameoverher，anditwastohimsheturnedforhelp。Ashadowcameoverherface，andshetotteredtowardsherfather;fallingdown，herarmsacrosshisknees，andmoaningout，——
’Father，myhead！myhead！’andthenslippedthroughhisquick-enfoldingarms，andlayonthegroundathisfeet。
IshallneverforgethissuddenlookofagonywhileIlive;never！Weraisedherup;hercolourhadstrangelydarkened;shewasinsensible。I
ranthroughtheback-kitchentotheyardpump，andbroughtbackwater。
Theministerhadheronhisknees，herheadagainsthisbreast，almostasthoughshewereasleepingchild。Hewastryingtoriseupwithhispoorpreciousburden，butthemomentaryterrorhadrobbedthestrongmanofhisstrength，andhesankbackinhischairwithsobbingbreath。
’Sheisnotdead，Paul！isshe？’hewhispered，hoarse，asIcamenearhim。
I，too，couldnotspeak，butIpointedtothequiveringofthemusclesroundhermouth。JustthencousinHolman，attractedbysomeunwontedsound，camedown。IrememberIwassurprisedatthetimeatherpresenceofmind，sheseemedtoknowsomuchbetterwhattodothantheminister，inthemidstofthesickaffrightwhichblanchedhercountenance，andmadehertrembleallover。Ithinknowthatitwastherecollectionofwhathadgonebefore;themiserablethoughtthatpossiblyhiswordshadbroughtonthisattack，whateveritmightbe，thatsounmannedtheminister。Wecarriedherupstairs，andwhilethewomenwereputtinghertobed，stillunconscious，stillslightlyconvulsed，Islippedout，andsaddledoneofthehorses，androdeasfastastheheavy-trottingbeastcouldgo，toHornby，tofindthedoctorthere，andbringhimback。Hewasout，mightbedetainedthewholenight。Iremembersaying，’Godhelpusall！’asIsateonmyhorse，underthewindow，throughwhichtheapprentice’sheadhadappearedtoanswermyfurioustugsatthenight-bell。Hewasagood-naturedfellow。
Hesaid，——
’Hemaybehomeinhalfanhour，there’snoknowing;butIdaresayhewill。I’llsendhimouttotheHopeFarmdirectlyhecomesin。It’sthatgood-lookingyoungwoman，Holman’sdaughter，that’sill，isn’tit？’
’Yes。’
’Itwouldbeapityifshewastogo。She’sanonlychild，isn’tshe？
I’llgetup，andsmokeapipeinthesurgery，readyforthegovernor’scominghome。ImightgotosleepifIwenttobedagain。’
’Thankyou，you’reagoodfellow！’andIrodebackalmostasquicklyasIcame。
Itwasabrainfever。Thedoctorsaidso，whenhecameintheearlysummermorning。Ibelievewehadcometoknowthenatureoftheillnessinthenight-watchesthathadgonebefore。Astohopeofultimaterecovery，orevenevilprophecyoftheprobableend，thecautiousdoctorwouldbeentrappedintoneither。Hegavehisdirections，andpromisedtocomeagain;
sosoon，thatthisonethingshowedhisopinionofthegravityofthecase。
ByGod’smercysherecovered，butitwasalong，wearytimefirst。Accordingtopreviouslymadeplans，IwastohavegonehomeatthebeginningofAugust。
Butallsuchideaswereputasidenow，withoutawordbeingspoken。IreallythinkthatIwasnecessaryinthehouse，andespeciallynecessarytotheministeratthistime;myfatherwasthelastmanintheworld，undersuchcircumstances，toexpectmehome。
Isay，IthinkIwasnecessaryinthehouse。Everyperson（1hadalmostsaideverycreature，forallthedumbbeastsseemedtoknowandlovePhillis）
abouttheplacewentgrievingandsad，asthoughacloudwasoverthesun。
Theydidtheirwork，eachstrivingtosteerclearofthetemptationtoeye-service，infulfilmentofthetrustreposedinthembytheminister。
ForthedayafterPhillishadbeentakenill，hehadcalledallthemenemployedonthefarmintotheemptybarn;andtherehehadentreatedtheirprayersforhisonlychild;andthenandtherehehadtoldthemofhispresentincapacityforthoughtaboutanyotherthinginthisworldbuthislittledaughter，lyingnighuntodeath，andhehadaskedthemtogoonwiththeirdailylaboursasbesttheycould，withouthisdirection。
So，asIsay，thesehonestmendidtheirworktothebestoftheirability，buttheyslouchedalongwithsadandcarefulfaces，comingonebyoneinthedimmorningstoasknewsofthesorrowthatovershadowedthehouse;
andreceivingBetty’sintelligence，alwaysratherdarkenedbypassingthroughhermind，withslowshakesofthehead，andadullwistfulnessofsympathy。
But，poorfellows，theywerehardlyfittobetrustedwithhastymessages，andheremypoorservicescamein。OnetimeIwastoridehardtoSirWilliamBentinck’s，andpetitionforiceoutofhisice-house，toputonPhillis’shead。AnotheritwastoElthamImustgo，bytrain，horse，anyhow，andbidthedoctortherecomeforaconsultation，forfreshsymptomshadappeared，whichMrBrown，ofHornby，consideredunfavourable。ManyanhourhaveIsateonthewindow-seat，half-wayupthestairs，closebytheoldclock，listeninginthehotstillnessofthehouseforthesoundsinthesick-room。
TheministerandImetoften，butspoketogetherseldom。Helookedsoold——soold！Hesharedthenursingwithhiswife;thestrengththatwasneededseemedtobegiventothembothinthatday。Theyrequirednooneelseabouttheirchild。Everyofficeaboutherwassacredtothem;evenBettyonlywentintotheroomforthemostnecessarypurposes。OnceIsawPhillisthroughtheopendoor;herprettygoldenhairhadbeencutofflongbefore;
herheadwascoveredwithwetcloths，andshewasmovingitbackwardsandforwardsonthepillow，withweary，never-endingmotion，herpooreyesshut，tryingintheoldaccustomedwaytocroonoutahymntune，butperpetuallybreakingitupintomoansofpain。Hermothersatebyher，tearless，changingtheclothsuponherheadwithpatientsolicitude。Ididnotseetheministeratfirst，buttherehewasinadarkcorner，downuponhisknees，hishandsclaspedtogetherinpassionateprayer。Thenthedoorshut，andIsawnomore。
Onedayhewaswanted;andIhadtosummonhim。BrotherRobinsonandanotherminister，hearingofhis’trial’，hadcometoseehim。Itoldhimthisuponthestair-landinginawhisper。Hewasstrangelytroubled。
’Theywillwantmetolaybaremyheart。Icannotdoit。Paul，staywithme。Theymeanwell;butasforspiritualhelpatsuchatime——itisGodonly，Godonly，whocangiveit。
SoIwentinwithhim。Theyweretwoministersfromtheneighbourhood;
botholderthanEbenezerHolman;butevidentlyinferiortohimineducationandworldlyposition。IthoughttheylookedatmeasifIwereanintruder，butrememberingtheminister’swordsIheldmyground，andtookuponeofpoorPhillis’sbooks（ofwhichIcouldnotreadaword）tohaveanostensibleoccupation。PresentlyIwasaskedto’engageinprayer’，andweallkneltdown;BrotherRobinson’leading’，andquotinglargelyasIrememberfromtheBookofJob。Heseemedtotakeforhistext，iftextsareevertakenforprayers，’Beholdthouhastinstructedmany;butnowitiscomeuponthee，andthoufaintest，ittoucheththeeandthouarttroubled。’Whenweothersroseup，theministercontinuedforsomeminutesonhisknees。
Thenhetoogotup，andstoodfacingus，foramoment，beforeweallsatedowninconclave。AfterapauseRobinsonbegan，——
’Wegrieveforyou，BrotherHolman，foryourtroubleisgreat。Butwewouldfainhaveyourememberyouareasalightsetonahill;andthecongregationsarelookingatyouwithwatchfuleyes。Wehavebeentalkingaswecamealongonthetwodutiesrequiredofyouinthisstrait;BrotherHodgsonandme。Andwehaveresolvedtoexhortyouonthesetwopoints。
First，Godhasgivenyoutheopportunityofshowingforthanexampleofresignation。’PoorMrHolmanvisiblywincedatthisword。Icouldfancyhowhehadtossedasidesuchbrotherlypreachingsinhishappiermoments;
butnowhiswholesystemwasunstrung，and’resignation’seemedatermwhichpresupposedthatthedreadedmiseryoflosingPhilliswasinevitable。
ButgoodstupidMrRobinsonwenton。’Wehearonallsidesthattherearescarceanyhopesofyourchild’srecovery;anditmaybewelltobringyoutomindofAbraham;andhowhewaswillingtokillhisonlychildwhentheLordcommanded。Takeexamplebyhim，BrotherHolman。Letushearyousay，\"TheLordgivethandtheLordtakethaway。BlessedbethenameoftheLord！\"’
Therewasapauseofexpectancy。Iverilybelievetheministertriedtofeelit;buthecouldnot。Heartoffleshwastoostrong。Heartofstonehehadnot。
’IwillsayittomyGod，whenHegivesmestrength，——whenthedaycomes，’
hespokeatlast。
Theothertwolookedateachother，andshooktheirheads。Ithinkthereluctancetoanswerastheywishedwasnotquiteunexpected。Theministerwenton’Therearevet’hesaid，asiftohimself。’Godhasgivenmeagreatheartforhoping，andIwillnotlookforwardbeyondthehour。’Thenturningmoretothem，——andspeakinglouder，headded：’Brethren，Godwillstrengthenmewhenthetimecomes，whensuchresignationasyouspeakofisneeded。TillthenIcannotfeelit;andwhatIdonotfeelIwillnotexpress;usingwordsasiftheywereacharm。’Hewasgettingchafed，I
couldsee。
Hehadratherputthemoutbythesespeechesofhis;butafterashorttimeandsomemoreshakesofthehead，Robinsonbeganagain，——
’Secondly，wewouldhaveyoulistentothevoiceoftherod，andaskyourselfforwhatsinsthistrialhasbeenlaiduponyou;whetheryoumaynothavebeentoomuchgivenuptoyourfarmandyourcattle;whetherthisworld’slearninghasnotpuffedyouuptovainconceitandneglectofthethingsofGod;whetheryouhavenotmadeanidolofyourdaughter？’
’Icannotanswer——Iwillnotanswer’。’exclaimedtheminister。’MysinsIconfesstoGod。Butiftheywerescarlet（andtheyaresoinHissight），’
headded，humbly，’IholdwithChristthatafflictionsarenotsentbyGodinwrathaspenaltiesforsin。’
’Isthatorthodox，BrotherRobinson？’askedthethirdminister，inadeferentialtoneofinquiry。
Despitetheminister’sinjunctionnottoleavehim，Ithoughtmattersweregettingsoseriousthatalittlehomelyinterruptionwouldbemoretothepurposethanmycontinuedpresence，andIwentroundtothekitchentoaskforBetty’shelp。
’’Odrot’em！’saidshe;’they’realwaysa-comingatill-convenienttimes;andtheyhavesuchheartyappetites，they’llmakenothingofwhatwouldhaveservedmasterandyousinceourpoorlasshasbeenill。I’vebutabitofcoldbeefinth’house;butI’lldosomehamandeggs，andthat’11rout’emfromworryingtheminister。They’readealquieterafterthey’vehadtheirvictual。LasttimeasoldRobinsoncame，hewasveryreprehensibleuponmaster’slearning，whichhecouldn’tcompasstosavehislife，soheneedn’thavebeenafeardofthattemptation，andusedwordslongenoughtohaveknockedabodydown;butaftermeandmissushadgivenhimhisfillofvictual，andhe’dhadsomegoodaleandapipe，hespokejustlikeanyotherman，andcouldcrackajokewithme。’
Theirvisitwastheonlybreakinthelongwearydaysandnights。I
donotmeanthatnootherinquiriesweremade。Ibelievethatalltheneighbourshungabouttheplacedailytilltheycouldlearnfromsomeout-comerhowPhillisHolmanwas。Buttheyknewbetterthantocomeuptothehouse，fortheAugustweatherwassohotthateverydoorandwindowwaskeptconstantlyopen，andtheleastsoundoutsidepenetratedallthrough。Iamsurethecocksandhenshadasadtimeofit;forBettydrovethemallintoanemptybarn，andkeptthemfastenedupinthedarkforseveraldays，withverylittleeffectasregardedtheircrowingandclacking。Atlengthcameasleepwhichwasthecrisis，andfromwhichshewakenedupwithanewfaintlife。Herslumberhadlastedmany，manyhours。Wescarcelydaredtobreatheormoveduringthetime;wehadstriventohopesolong，thatweweresickatheart，anddurstnottrustinthefavourablesigns：theevenbreathing，themoistenedskin，theslightreturnofdelicatecolourintothepale，wanlips。Irecollectstealingoutthateveninginthedusk，andwanderingdownthegrassylane，undertheshadowoftheover-archingelmstothelittlebridgeatthefootofthehill，wherethelanetotheHopeFarmjoinedanotherroadtoHornby。OnthelowparapetofthatbridgeIfoundTimothyCooper，thestupid，half-wittedlabourer，sitting，idlythrowingbitsofmortarintothebrookbelow。HejustlookedupatmeasIcamenear，butgavemenogreetingeitherbywordorgesture。Hehadgenerallymadesomesign’ofrecognitiontome，butthistimeIthoughthewassullenatbeingdismissed。NeverthelessIfeltasifitwouldbearelieftotalkalittletosomeone，andIsatedownbyhim。WhileIwasthinkinghowtobegin，heyawnedweariedly。
’Youaretired，Tim？’saidI。
’Aye，’saidhe。’ButIreckonImaygohomenow。’’Haveyoubeensittingherelong？’
’Wellyalldaylong。Leastwayssin’seveni’th’morning。’’Why，whatintheworldhaveyoubeendoing？’’Nought。’
’Whyhaveyoubeensittinghere，then？’
’T’keepcartsoff。’Hewasupnow，stretchinghimself，andshakinghislubberlylimbs。
’Carts！whatcarts？’
’Cartsasmightha’wakenedyonwench！It’sHornbymarketday。Ireckonyo’renobetternorahalf-wityoursel’。’Hecockedhiseyeatmeasifheweregaugingmyintellect。
’AndhaveyoubeenSittingherealldaytokeepthelanequietP’
’Aye。I’venoughtelsetodo。Th’ministerhasturnedmeadrift。Haveyo’heardhowth’lassisfaringto-night？’
’Theyhopeshe’llwakenbetterforthislongsleep。Goodnighttoyou，andGodblessyou，Timothy，’saidI。
Hescarcelytookanynoticeofmywords，ashelumberedacrossaStilethatledtohiscottage。PresentlyIwenthometothefarm。PhillishadStirred，hadSpokentwoorthreefaintwords。Hermotherwaswithher，droppingnourishmentintoherscarceconsciousmouth。Therestofthehouseholdweresummonedtoeveningprayerforthefirsttimeformanydays。Itwasareturntothedailyhabitsofhappinessandhealth。ButintheseSilentdaysourveryliveshadbeenanunspokenprayer。NowwemetInthehouse-place，andlookedateachotherwithstrangerecognitionofthethankfulnessonallOurfaces。Wekneltdown;wewaitedfortheminister’svoice。Hedidnotbeginasusual。Hecouldnot;hewaschoking。Presentlyweheardthestrongman’ssob。ThenoldJohnturnedroundonhisknees，andsaid，——
’Minister，IreckonwehaveblessedtheLordwi’alloursouls，thoughwe’vene’ertalkedaboutit;andmaybeHe’llnotneedspokenwordsthisnight。Godblessusall，andkeepourPhillissafefromharm！Amen。’
OldJohn’simpromptuprayerwasallwehadthatnight。
’OurPhillis，’ashecalledher，grewbetterdaybydayfromthattime。
Notquickly;Isometimesgrewdesponding，andfearedthatshewouldneverbewhatshehadbeenbefore;nomoreshehas，inSomeways。
IseizedanearlyopportunitytotelltheministeraboutTimothyCooper’sunsolicitedwatchonthebridgeduringthelongSummer’sday。
’Godforgiveme！’saidtheminister。’Ihavebeentooproudinmyownconceit。ThefirststepsItakeoutofthishouseshallbetoCooper’scottage。’
IneedhardlysayTimothywasreinstatedinhisplaceonthefarm;andIhaveoftensinceadmiredthepatiencewithwhichhismastertriedtoteachhimhowtodotheeasyworkwhichwashenceforwardcarefullyadjustedtohiscapacity。
Philliswascarrieddown-stairs，andlayforhourafterhourquitesilentonthegreatsofa，drawnupunderthewindowsofthehouse-place。Sheseemedalwaysthesame，gentle，quiet，andsad。Herenergydidnotreturnwithherbodilystrength。Itwassometimespitifultoseeherparents’vainendeavourstorousehertointerest。Onedaytheministerbroughtherasetofblueribbons，remindingherwithatendersmileofaformerconversationinwhichshehadownedtoaloveofsuchfemininevanities。Shespokegratefullytohim，butwhenhewasgoneshelaidthemononeside，andlanguidlyshuthereyes。AnothertimeIsawhermotherbringhertheLatinandItalianbooksthatshehadbeensofondofbeforeherillness——or，rather，beforeHoldsworthhadgoneaway。Thatwasworstofall。Sheturnedherfacetothewall，andcriedassoonashermother’sbackwasturned。Bettywaslayingtheclothfortheearlydinner。Hersharpeyessawthestateofthecase。
’Now，Phillis！’saidshe，cominguptothesofa;’weha’donea’wecanforyou，andth’doctorshasdonea’theycanforyou，andIthinktheLordhasdonea’Hecanforyou，andmorethanyoudeserve，too，ifyoudon’tdosomethingforyourself。IfIwereyou，I’driseupandsnuffthemoon，soonerthanbreakyourfather’sandyourmother’sheartswi’
watchingandwaitingtillitpleasesyoutofightyourOwnwaybacktocheerfulness。There，Ineverfavouredlongpreachings，andI’vesaidmysay。’
AdayortwoafterPhillisaskedme，whenwewerealone，ifIthoughtmyfatherandmotherwouldallowhertogoandstaywiththemforacoupleofmonths。Sheblushedalittleasshefalteredoutherwishforchangeofthoughtandscene。
’Onlyforashorttime，Paul。Then——wewillgobacktothepeaceoftheolddays。Iknowweshall;Ican，andIwill！’（1863）