It is always a painful thing
to witness grief from which we are shut out, and Phyllis was unhappy
without being able to weep with her uncle and cousins. But it is one
blessing of a refined household that sorrow must be put aside for the
duties and courtesies of life. The dinner table was set, and the squire
washed his face, and put on his evening suit, his long white vest and
lace kerchief, and, without being conscious of it, was relieved by
the change. And Elizabeth had to rouse herself and take thought for
her household duties, and dress even more carefully than usual, in
order to make her white cheeks and sorrowful eyes less noticeable.
And the courtesies of eating together made a current in the tide of
unhappy thought; so that before the meal was over there had been some
smiles; and hope, the apprehender of joy, the sister of faith, had
whispered to both father and sister, "Keep a good heart! Things may
be better than they appear to be."
As the squire rose from the table, he said: "Now, Elizabeth, I hev
something varry particular to say to thee. Phyllis will bide by herself
an hour, and then we'll hev no more secrets, and we'll try to be as
happy as things will let us be."
Elizabeth was in some measure prepared for what her father had to say;
but she was placed in a very unhappy position.
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