A Little Girl in Old Salem | Page 9

be quite a change to have a child in your household," said
Josiah Ward. "But if she is like mine, I advise you not to give her the

run of your study. But there are two ladies to look after her;" and he
smiled.
It was surmised that Mr. Ward, a widower of two years' standing, had
glanced more than once in the direction of Miss Eunice Leverett.
Rachel came back at this juncture. The little girl had an accession of
shyness and would only nod to the strangers. Then they made ready to
leave the vessel. Chilian took his japanned case of important papers;
the rest of the luggage would be sent after inspection.
A primitive street it was in those days, and the fine wharves of the
present were rather rude if busy places. Over beyond they could see the
river,--South River,--and that was alive with various small craft.
"It seems almost like home," said Rachel Winn, pausing to take a
survey. "You do not find this rural aspect in India."
"How long were you there?" asked Chilian.
"Seven years. I went out with my brother, who had just married my
dearest friend. He died the third year, and she soon after married a
military man. Then I took charge of a little lame boy and was mostly up
in the mountains until he was sent to England, when Captain Leverett's
hospitable doors opened to me. Believe me, I was sorry to leave him at
this crisis. Yet it was his wish;" and she glanced at Cynthia.
"Why did we come away?" demanded the child passionately. "Oh,
Rachel, are you sure father will come? It takes so long, so long;" and
there were tears in her voice.
"Here we are!" exclaimed Chilian.
There was a white picket fence across the sort of courtyard that had a
broad paved path leading up to the front door, bordered by shrubs that
would presently be in bloom, and spaces between for smaller plants.
This was the delight of Eunice's heart. A square but rather ornate porch,
with fluted columns, supporting the outer edge of the roof, and an

elaborately carved hall-door with a fanlight overhead. The stoop stood
up some five steps, and at the sides there were benches for out-of-doors
comfort on summer nights. A brass knocker, with a lion's head,
announced visitors. Chilian, however, let himself in with his latchkey.
But both sisters met the party in the hall.
"And this is Anthony's little girl!" said Elizabeth. "Child, let me look at
you----"
But the child had a perverse fit at that moment and turned away her
head, to the elder's surprise and almost displeasure.
"This is Miss Winn," interrupted Chilian. "My household guardians and
cousins, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Eunice Leverett. I dare say our guests
feel strange to be on land, after such a long journey."
"It seems almost incredible that one can stand it, but we see them
starting every few days for distant ports. My farthest journey has been
to Providence; but, land alive! you don't know where that is, and it's no
great distance. Will you not come and have a cup of tea or coffee?"
"Thank you. We had breakfast not long ago, it seems."
"Let me take you to your room," said Eunice. "And I hope you will
soon feel at home with us. We are quiet people, but we shall endeavor
to make you comfortable. Cynthia, will you not shake hands with me?"
The soft, rather pleading voice attracted the child. She glanced up shyly
and then held out a tiny hand hesitatingly.
"She is rather backward at first," explained Rachel, who followed the
hostess up the broad stairway.
One of the guest-chambers had been set aside for their use after much
discussion as to whether one or two would be needed. A smaller one
opened into this, and a large closet was at the side.
"You can take off your things--I suppose your boxes, or whatever you

have, will be here presently. The bureau is empty and this chest of
drawers. We are rather old-fashioned people, and the house is the same
as it was in the time of Chilian's father. The captain made one visit here,
when the little girl was about four. It must have been hard for him to
lose his wife in a strange country like that. I suppose there are not many
Americans?"
"No; there are numbers of Englishwomen, wives of soldiers and traders,
though I think most of them long to get home. They do not seem to take
root easily."
"I shouldn't think they would, in that idolatrous country. The accounts
of heathendom are appalling. And that car of Juggernaut, and drowning
their poor little babies! They do not seem to make much of girl
children."