In pursuance of
the plans she had laid down for herself, the strictest economy was
imperative; for what little she could, now save from the plenty of
the old housekeeping, might have to see her through many days. At
Christmas she bid "good-bye" to every one of her old servants, and even
this simple duty had its trial. She stood a hard ten minutes with the
few sovereigns in her hand which would be requisite if she gave them
their usual Christmas gratuity. Pride urged her to give it; prudence
told her, "You will need it." She was not forgetful of the unkind
things that would be said of her, but she replaced the money in her
desk with this reflection, "I have paid them fully for their service;
I must be just before I am generous."
They left early in the day, and for a few hours Elizabeth was the only
soul in the old hall. But at night-fall Ben Craven's tax-cart brought
his mother, and a few of her personal belongings, and then the village
gossips understood "what Miss Hallam was going to do with hersen."
Martha took entire charge of the hall, and of all its treasures; and
the lonely mistress went to her room that night with the happy
consciousness that all she had was in loving and prudent keeping.
It was also a great comfort to feel that she was not under the constant
prying of unsympathetic eyes.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231