But in her home
Martha's influence was in every room, and it always brought rest and
calm. She knew instinctively when she was needed, and when solitude
was needed; when Elizabeth would chose to bear her troubles in silence,
and when she wanted the comfort of a sympathizing listener.
Thus the first nine months of her ordeal passed. She heard during them
several times from Phyllis, but never one line had come from Richard,
or from Antony. Poor Antony! He had dropped as absolutely out of her
ken as a stone dropped in mid-ocean. The silence of both Richard and
her brother hurt her deeply. She thought she could have trusted Richard
if their positions had been reversed. She was sure she would have
helped and strengthened him by constant hopeful letters. For a month
or two she watched anxiously for a word; then, with a keen pang, gave
up the hope entirely. Through Phyllis she learned that he was still
in New Orleans, and that he had gone into partnership with a firm who
did a large Mexican trade. "He is making money fast," said Phyllis,
"but he cares little for it."
It is one good thing in a regular life that habit reconciles us to
what was at first very distasteful. As the months went on Elizabeth's
business difficulties lessened. The tenants got accustomed to her,
and realized that she was neither going to impose upon them, nor yet
suffer herself to be imposed upon.
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