Hettys Strange History | Page 7

and sister. There are
plenty of rooms in the house for them to have their own sitting-room,
and be by themselves as much as they like. Kitchen indeed! I think
you've forgotten that Jim and I were schoolmates from the time we
were six till we were twenty. I always liked Jim, and he hasn't had half
a chance yet: that miserable affair pulled him down when he was so
young."
"That's so, Hetty; that's so," said the deacon, with tears rolling down his
wrinkled cheeks. "Jim wasn't a bad boy. He never meant to harm
anybody, and he hasn't had any chance at all since that happened. It
seems as if it took all the spirit right out of him; and Sally, she hasn't
got any spirit either: she's been nothin' but a millstone round his neck.
It's a mercy the baby died: that's one thing."
"I don't think so at all, Mr. Little," said Hetty, vehemently. "I think if
the baby had lived, it would have strengthened them both. It would
have made Sally much happier, at any rate. She is a motherly little
thing."
"Yes," said the old man, reluctantly. "Sally's affectionate; I won't deny
that: but"--and an expression of exceeding bitterness passed over his
face--"I wish to the Lord I needn't ever lay my eyes on her face again! I

can't feel right towards her, and I don't suppose I ever shall."
"I wouldn't wonder if the time came when she was a real comfort to
you, Mr. Little," said Hetty, cheerily. "You get them to come and live
with me and see what that'll do. I can afford to give Jim more than he
can make at surveying. I have a notion he's a better farmer than he is
engineer, isn't he?"
"Yes, there's nothing Jim don't know about a farm. I always did hope
he'd settle down here at home with us. But we couldn't have Sally in the
house: it would have killed Mrs. Little. It gives her a day's nervous
headache now, long ago 's 'tis, whenever she sees her on the street."
"Well, well," said Hetty, impatiently, "she won't give anybody nervous
headaches in my house, poor little soul, that's certain; and the sooner
they can come the better I shall like it. So you will arrange it all for me
at once, won't you?"
Then Hetty went on to speak of some matters in regard to the farm
about which she was in doubt,--as to certain fields, and crops, and what
should be done with the young stock from last year. Presently the old
clock in the hall struck nine, and the village bells began to ring.
Hetty sprang to her feet.
"Dear me!" she exclaimed, "I had no idea it was so late. I only meant to
stay an hour. Nan will be frightened about me." And she was out of the
house and on her pony's back almost before Deacon Little could say,--
"But, Hetty, ain't you afraid to go home by yourself. I can go with you
's well 's not."
"Bless me, no!" said Hetty. "I always ride alone. Polly knows the road
as well as I do;" and she cantered off, saying cheerily, "Goodnight,
deacon, I can't tell you how much I'm obliged to you. Please see Jim 's
early 's you can to-morrow: I want to get settled and begin work."
When Hetty reached home, the house was silent and dark: only one

feeble light glimmered in the hall. As she threw open the door, old
Cæsar and Nan rushed forward together from the kitchen, exclaiming,
half sobbing,--
"Oh, Miss Hetty! Miss Hetty! we made sure you was killed."
"Nonsense, Nan!" said Hetty, goodnaturedly: "what put such an idea
into your head? Haven't I ridden Polly many a darker night than this?"
"Yes'm," sobbed Nan; "but to-night's different. All our luck's gone:
'When the master's dead, the house is shook,' they say where I was
raised. Oh, Miss Hetty! it's lonesome's death in the kitchen."
Hetty threw open the door into the sitting-room. "Put on a stick of
wood, Nan, and make the fire blaze up," she said.
While Nan was doing this, Hetty lighted the lamps, drew down the
curtains, and gave the room its ordinary evening look. Then she said,--
"Now, Nan, sit down: I want to talk with you," and Hetty herself sat
down in her father's chair on the right hand of the fireplace.
"Oh, Miss Hetty!" cried Nan, "don't you go set in that chair: you'll die
before the year 's out if you do. Oh please, Miss Hetty! get right up;"
and the poor old woman took forcible hold of her young mistress's arms,
and tried to lift her from the chair.
"To please you, I will sit in another