One night Evelyn seemed a little easier, and Harry stayed longer with
her. Martha came three times for the child ere she would consent to
let him go. Then she took the pretty face in her hands, gave it one
long gaze and kiss, and shut her eyes with a painful, pitiful gasp.
Elizabeth hastened to her side; but she knew what was passing in the
mother's heart, and presumed not to intermeddle in her sorrow. But
half an hour afterward, when she saw heavy tears steal slowly from
under the closed eyelids, she said, as she wiped them, gently away,
"Dear Evelyn, why do you weep?"
"For my poor little wasted life, love; what a mistake it has been.
I do not remember a single happiness in it."
"Your childhood, Evelyn?"
"I think it was saddest of all. Children miss happiness most. My
childhood was all books and lessons and a gloomy nursery, and servants
who scolded us when we were well, and neglected us when we were sick.
I remember when I had scarlet fever, they used to put a little water
and jelly on a chair beside me at night, but I was too weak to reach
them. What long hours of suffering! What terrors I endured from many
causes!" "Forget that now, dear."
"I cannot. It had its influence on all the rest. Then when I grew to
childhood I heard but one thing: 'You must marry well.' I was ordered
to make myself agreeable, to consider the good of the family, to
remember my little sisters, my brothers who had no money and very few
brains.
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