She no longer was shy
in admitting her affection for him, her happiness in his presence,
her loneliness without him. It was easy for Richard to see that she
was gladly casting away every feeling that stood between them.
One morning, at the end of October, Elizabeth put on her mantle and
bonnet and went to see Martha Craven. She walked slowly, as a person
walks who has an uncertain purpose. Her face had a shadow on it; she
sighed frequently, and was altogether a different Elizabeth from the
one who had gone, two days before, the same road with quick, firm tread
and bright, uplifted face. Martha saw her coming, and hasted to open
the gate; but when Elizabeth perceived that Ben's wife was within,
she said, "Nay, Martha, I don't want to stay. Will you walk back part
of the way with me?"
"Ay, for sure! I'll nobbut get my shawl, Miss Hallam. I was turning
thee over i' my mind when, I saw thee coming. Is there aught wrong?"
"Why do you ask, Martha?"
"Nay, I'm sure I can't tell; only I can see fine that thou ar'n't same
as thou was yesterday."
They were just entering the park, and Elizabeth stood musing while
Martha closed the gates. Then, after walking a few yards, she said,
"Martha, do you believe the dead can speak to the living?"
"Ay, I do. If t' living will hear, t' dead will speak.
Pages:
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212