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+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #61080 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61080)
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cherry & Violet, by Anne Manning
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Cherry & Violet
-       A Tale of the Great Plague
-
-Author: Anne Manning
-
-Contributor: William Holden Hutton
-
-Illustrator: John Jellicoe
-             Herbert Railton
-
-Release Date: January 2, 2020 [EBook #61080]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHERRY & VIOLET ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by MWS, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-file was produced from images generously made available
-by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-                            CHERRY & VIOLET
-
-
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-[Illustration]
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                            CHERRY & VIOLET:
-                       A Tale of the Great Plague
-
-
-
-                                 Illvstrations by
-                                 John Jellicoe
-                                     &
-                                 Herbert Railton
-                                 Introdvction by The Rev^{d.} W·H·Hutton
-
-
-
-
-
-                                 LONDON
-                             John C. NIMMO
-                              ·MDCCCXCVII·
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-
-                As I sat by myself, I talked to myself,
-                       And thus to myself said I.
-
-
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  Cherry and Violet
-]
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-                            CHERRY & VIOLET
-
-                               A TALE OF
-                            THE GREAT PLAGUE
-
-
-                                   BY
-
-                  THE AUTHOR OF “MARY POWELL” AND “THE
-                      HOUSEHOLD OF SIR THOS. MORE”
-
-
-                        WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
-
-                      THE REV. W. H. HUTTON, B.D.
-                  FELLOW OF S. JOHN’S COLLEGE, OXFORD
-
-
-                    AND TWENTY-SIX ILLUSTRATIONS BY
-
-                   JOHN JELLICOE AND HERBERT RAILTON
-
-
-
-
-                                 LONDON
-                             JOHN C. NIMMO
-                   NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
-                               MDCCCXCVII
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                  Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
-                        At the Ballantyne Press
-
-
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                                CONTENTS
-
-
-         CHAP.                                            PAGE
-
-            I. —The Reminiscences of Mistress                1
-                 Cherry.—The Fire, & Double
-                 Tide.—Mal-conversation
-
-           II. —Cherry endeavours to remember if she        17
-                 were pretty.—A Water-party
-
-          III. —Result of the Water-party                   36
-
-           IV. —Chelsea Buns                                56
-
-            V. —A Shadow on the House                       77
-
-           VI. —Metanoia                                    95
-
-          VII. —Signs in the Air                           114
-
-         VIII. —The Plague                                 136
-
-           IX. —Foreshadows                                149
-
-            X. —A Friend in Need                           169
-
-           XI. —Distinction between would & should         199
-
-          XII. —Camping out in Epping Forest               207
-
-         XIII. —Ghosts                                     226
-
-          XIV. —Riding a Pillion                           243
-
-           XV. —The Squire’s Garden                        259
-
-          XVI. —The Burning City                           284
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                         LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
-
-          From Drawings by JOHN JELLICOE and HERBERT RAILTON.
-
-
-            FRONTISPIECE.                            Frontispiece
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-                                                       PAGE
-
-            TITLE-PAGE.                                 iii
-              Designed by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            MOTTO.                                       iv
-              Designed by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            OLD LONDON BRIDGE.                            1
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            “MY FATHER’S SHOP WAS ON THE EAST SIDE”       6
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE and HERBERT
-              RAILTON
-
-            “ONE AND THE SAME CRADLE.”                   10
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “IN THE ARBOUR AT THE TOP OF OUR HOUSE.”     20
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “THE BACK-ROOM IN WHICH HE SLEPT WAS A       22
-              LEAN-TO STUCK AGAINST THE MAIN WALL.”
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            “THIS COMICALITY DREW CROWDS OF PEOPLE.”     31
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “GOSSIPING WITH HUGH BRAIDFOOT.”             42
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “THE GAY PARTY SET OUT.”                     63
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “LOOKED OUT ON THE BRIDGE.”                  66
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            “I FOUND HER ON HER KNEES.”                  82
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “AND SO THE GOOD MAN WENT.”                 105
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “WE LET OUR WINDOWS.”                       116
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “AND NOW A SHOCKING SIGHT WAS TO BE SEEN    122
-              AT THE BRIDGE GATE.”
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            “HOUSES WERE SHUT UP.”                      136
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE and HERBERT
-              RAILTON
-
-            “KEEPING THE GATES WITH MUCH JEALOUSY.”     140
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “I MADE FOR CHEAPSIDE.”                     158
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE and HERBERT
-              RAILTON
-
-            “A PARTY OF DISORDERLY YOUNG MEN.”          166
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “THERE HE LAY.”                             179
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “WE HAD WORDS ABOUT IT.”                    212
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “I SAW SOME WOMEN PASSING THROUGH THE       222
-              TREES.”
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “THE OLD GARDEN WITH THE IRON GATE.”        231
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            “AN OLD RED-BRICK HOUSE.”                   248
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE and HERBERT
-              RAILTON
-
-            “A BOWLING-GREEN OF WONDERFUL FINE          260
-              TURF.”
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-            IN THE SQUIRE’S GARDEN.                     264
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE and HERBERT
-              RAILTON
-
-            CHERRY’S WEDDING LEAVING THE CHURCH.        279
-              Drawn by JOHN JELLICOE
-
-            “ST. PAUL’S WAS NOW IN A BLAZE.”            294
-              Drawn by HERBERT RAILTON
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              Introduction
-
-
-SO reticent was Miss Manning in her lifetime, and so loyally have her
-wishes been obeyed by her kindred since her death, that when Mr. Nimmo
-last year re-published her beautiful memorial portrait, “The Household
-of Sir Thomas More,” it was clear that whatever of her personal history
-had ever been known had been already forgotten. She had indeed been
-confused, in a Biographical Dictionary, with another writer: it even
-needed the assurance of her surviving niece to convince inquirers that
-she lived and died unmarried. Thus to live and die, “the world
-forgetting, by the world forgot,” was what the gentle spirit chose. To
-be known through her books, and loved, there can be little question, was
-her ambition, and it was a wish which I cannot doubt is fulfilled. The
-“author of ‘Mary Powell,’” as she styled herself on her title-pages, has
-left several exquisite little studies, highly appreciated when they
-first saw the light, and still worthy, as it seems to me, of that kind
-of immortality of regard which is won by those writers whom none of us
-would place in the first rank of Literature, but whom all who know them
-remember with something of a personal affection. When I say that Miss
-Manning reminds me of Miss Rossetti, I do not mean that the earlier
-writer has the genius of the most perfect poet that ever, in the English
-tongue, linked the highest aspirations of Religion with the most
-exquisite expressions of Poetry; but rather that their minds were both
-beautiful, their experiences pathetic, their hearts true. They would
-walk together in Paradise, and understand each other: when our Lady of
-Sorrows sings “Magnificat,” they would stand by, and their souls would
-echo to her song. The matter of the work of each is very different, yet
-in the manner there is something indescribably akin. Christina Rossetti
-is one of the greatest writers of the century; but, unique though she
-is, and unapproachable in her sphere, in the land below her the author
-of “Mary Powell” has thought some of the same thoughts, and thought them
-in the same way.
-
-                “O my soul, she beats her wings,
-                  And pants to fly away
-                 Up to immortal things
-                  In the heavenly day:
-                Yet she flags and almost faints;
-                  Can such be meant for me?—
-                 Come and see, say the Saints.
-                  Saith Jesus: Come and see.
-                 Say the saints: His pleasures please us
-                  Before God and the Lamb.
-                 Come and taste My sweets, saith Jesus:
-                  Be with Me where I am.”
-
-The voice is that of Christina Rossetti, but it is the thought too of
-her who wrote “Cherry and Violet.”
-
-Miss Manning, as we read her life in her books, walks through the world
-with an unbounded charity and a hope ever refreshed. “Preach peace to
-all,” said S. Francis of Assisi, “for often those whom you think to be
-the children of the devil are those whom you will know some day to be
-the sons of God.” Miss Manning loved to think of, and to look upon,
-whatsoever things are lovely and of good report, and so thinking and
-looking she found flowers everywhere to spring up beneath her feet.
-
-           “Tread softly! all the earth is holy ground.
-             It may be, could we look with seeing eyes,
-             This spot we stand on is a Paradise
-            Where dead have come to life and lost been found,
-            Where faith has triumphed, martyrdom been crowned,
-             Where fools have foiled the wisdom of the wise;
-             From this same spot the dust of saints may rise,
-            And the King’s prisoners come to light unbound.”
-
-So when she turns to the sixteenth century, with its sordid materialism
-and its coarse handling of things most sacred, not merely does she
-recognise, as an Englishwoman, the grandeur of its struggles, but she
-sees its best embodiment in the tragedy of an almost perfect life. As
-she seeks refuge in that time of stress with the Household of Sir Thomas
-More, so in the next century she turns aside from the pettiness of Pepys
-or the realism of Defoe to the life of a simple girl born and nurtured
-on the great bridge that spans the Thames.
-
-                 “Quali colombe dal disio chiamante
-                  Con l’ali aperte e ferme al dolce nido
-                  Volan per l’aer dal voler portate.”
-
-With “The Household of Sir Thomas More” we walked in the dangerous days
-when the Lion found his strength. With “Cherry and Violet” we are in the
-still more alarming atmosphere of the Commonwealth and the Restoration.
-Year by year, as old houses open their chests, and scholars hunt among
-their yellow papers, we learn more of the reign of terror which marked
-the closing years of the Protectorate. We see one Verney living a “lude
-life” with “my lord Claypoll” and other “my lords” the kindred of the
-Protector; while another, the honest Sir Ralph, stoutest of
-Parliamentarians, is clapped in prison, no man knows why; and at the
-same time John Howe, pious Puritan preacher (whom Mistress Cherry
-herself knew of), is confessing how impossible it is to win the family
-which reigns at Whitehall to think of the welfare of their souls. Yet
-all the while there hangs over the land the outer gloom of an enforced
-conformity, which Miss Manning so happily describes. When we find
-ourselves in the heyday of the Restoration, or when we watch the
-splendours and the scandals of the Court of Charles II., we learn from
-the scandalous Pepys—now so much more than ever since Mr. H. B. Wheatley
-has given us all that it was possible to print of the wonderful Diary as
-Pepys really wrote it—how utterly rotten was the social life of the age,
-even among those, too often, who might seem to sit sedately above its
-more flagrant iniquities.
-
-And then there comes in Defoe with his marvellous photographic realism
-of fiction, and tells us of the horrors of the Plague with a fidelity
-which those who had lived among them could, we fancy, hardly have
-approached.
-
-From sources such as these—from Pepys and Defoe, as well as from the
-more sober pages of the stately Evelyn, it is that Miss Manning takes
-much of the _mise-en-scène_ of her “Tale of the Great Plague”; and we
-find, as historic evidence accumulates around us, how true her imaginary
-picture is.
-
-It was a happy thought which made the story begin on old London
-Bridge—happier still, readers will now think when they see Mr. Herbert
-Railton’s beautiful drawings. Something we learn of the stress of the
-time as we recall, with Mistress Cherry, the strange pageants which the
-bridge-dwellers watched from their windows. They saw the double tide,
-portent of unknown woes. They saw how the mighty Strafford went serenely
-to his death, and the old Archbishop passed up and down under guard on
-the long days of his weary trial. They saw the King come to his own
-again—and some of them may have looked out of windows that wet Sunday
-night in 1662 when Mr. Pepys had left his singing of “some holy things”
-and went back by water, shooting the rapids under “the bridge (which did
-trouble me) home, and so to bed.” The life on the bridge must have been
-something which an Englishman’s experience of to-day can hardly help to
-picture. Something of it we may fancy as we enter an old shop on the
-Ponte Vecchio at Florence, or look out upon it and the Arno from the
-long corridor that connects the Uffizi with the Pitti. But on that
-narrow space is no such crowded life as on old London Bridge—no such
-dangers for foot-passengers, drivers, and horsemen. To picture this in
-seventeenth-century England we must cross near mid-day from Stamboul
-towards Pera by the far-famed Galata Bridge. Scarce anywhere but in
-Florence and in Constantinople can we now recall what sights old London
-Bridge must have witnessed. Mr. Railton sees them, though, very clearly,
-and we are more than content to see with his eyes. Something idealised
-they are, perhaps. Old London Bridge was hardly so beautiful, surely, as
-he pictures it; and his drawings, perhaps, are more like what the houses
-ought to have been than ever they were. “More Nurembergy than
-Nuremberg,” says Mr. Ruskin of some of Prout’s famous work. We may say
-it of Mr. Railton’s old London; and high praise it is. And as Mr.
-Railton brings back to us the scenes, so Mr. Jellicoe gives us the
-persons of old time in their habits as they lived.
-
-Among such surroundings we picture Cherry doing her simple duties,
-tending her mother, thinking somewhat primly of her vivacious neighbour
-Violet, fancying she has lost her heart for ever to poor Mark, and then
-waking to a heroine’s work in the horrors of the Plague, and finding
-through that her own bright reward.
-
-“The Plague growing on us,” says Pepys, and of remedies “some saying one
-thing, and some another.” So it begins in May, and by the first week of
-June, “much against my will, I did in Drury Lane see two or three houses
-marked with a red cross upon the doors, and ‘Lord have mercy upon us’
-writ there; which was a sad sight to me, being the first of the kind
-that to my remembrance I ever saw.” Ten days later, and as he goes in a
-hackney coach from the Lord Treasurer’s, his coachman is struck of a
-sudden “very sick and almost blind”—and journey by coach becomes “a very
-dangerous passage nowadays.” So it comes till there are seven hundred
-dying in a week, and “it was a sad noise to hear our bell to toll and
-ring so often either for death or burials.”
-
-And soon, “But, Lord! how sad a sight it is to see the streets empty of
-people and very few upon the ’Change. Jealous of every door that one
-sees shut up, lest it should be the Plague; and about us two shops in
-three, if not more, generally shut up.”
-
-Reports are terrible of the thousands who every week are carried to
-their graves in the long pits; and with an even closer terror speaks the
-record of the veracious diarist. “I went forth and walked towards
-Moorfields (August 30th) to see (God forgive me my presumption!) whether
-I could see any dead corpse going to the grave; but, as God would have
-it, did not. But, Lord! how everybody looks, and discourse on the
-streets is of death, and nothing else, and few people going up and down,
-that the town is like a place distressed and forsaken.” “What a sad time
-it is,” he writes on 20th September, “to see no boats upon the river;
-and grass grows up and down White Hall Court, and nobody but poor
-wretches in the streets.”
-
-To these records the genius of Defoe adds an immortal picture. “As this
-puts me upon mentioning my walking the Streets and Fields”—he has been
-speaking of the numbers that fled to the outskirts of the town, “into
-the Fields and Woods, and into secret uncouth Places, almost anywhere to
-creep into a Bush, or Hedge, and die,” and how it “was a general Method
-to walk away” if any one was seen coming—“I cannot omit taking notice
-what a desolate place the City was at that time. The great street I
-lived in, which is known to be one of the broadest of all the streets of
-London, I mean of the Suburbs as well as the Liberties; all the side
-where the Butchers lived, especially without the Bars, was more like a
-green Field than a paved Street, and the People generally went in the
-middle with the Horses and Carts. It is true that the farthest End,
-towards White-Chappel Church, was not all pav’d, but even the part that
-was pav’d was full of Grass also; but this need not seem strange, since
-the great Streets within the City, such as Leaden-Hall Street,
-Bishopgate-Street, Cornhill, and even the Exchange itself, had Grass
-growing in them, in several Places; neither Cart nor Coach were seen in
-the Streets from Morning to Evening, except some Country Carts to bring
-Roots and Beans, or Pease, Hay and Straw, to the Market, and those but
-very few, compared to what was usual: as for Coaches, they were scarce
-used, but to carry sick People to the Pest-House, and to other
-Hospitals; and some few to carry Physicians to such Places as they
-thought fit to venture to visit; for really coaches were dangerous
-things, and People did not Care to venture into them because they did
-not know who might have been carried in them last; and sick infected
-People were, as I have said, ordinarily carried in them to the
-Pest-Houses, and some times People expired in them as they went along.
-
-“It is true, when the Infection came to such a Height as I have now
-mentioned, there were very few Physicians which car’d to stir abroad to
-sick Houses, and very many of the most eminent of the Faculty were dead
-as well as the Surgeons also; for now it was indeed a dismal time, and
-for about a month together, not taking any Notice of the Bills of
-Mortality, I believe there did not die less than 1500 or 1700 a-Day, one
-Day with another.
-
-“One of the worst Days we had in the whole Time, as I thought, was in
-the Beginning of September, when indeed good People began to think that
-God was resolved to make a full End of the People in this miserable
-City. This was at that Time when the Plague was fully come into the
-Eastern Parishes: the Parish of Algate, if I may give my Opinion, buried
-above a thousand a Week for two Weeks, though the Bills did not say so
-many; but it surrounded me at so dismal a rate, that there was not a
-House in twenty uninfected; in the Minories, in Houndsditch, and in
-those Parts of Algate about the Butcher-Row, and the Alleys over against
-me, I say in those places Death reigned in every Corner. White-Chappel
-Parish was in the same Condition, and tho’ much less than the Parish I
-liv’d in; yet buried near 600 a Week by the Bills; and in my Opinion
-near twice as many; whole Families, and indeed whole Streets of Families
-were swept away together; insomuch that it was frequent for Neighbours
-to call to the Bellman, to go to such and such Houses, and fetch out the
-People, for that they were all dead.”
-
-There is little, if anything, in the description which is exaggerated.
-How much in tone as well as detail Miss Manning learnt from this great
-master of fiction is clear. But it was altogether foreign to her nature
-to paint long in such gloomy colours, and she turned, with a true art,
-from the horrors of the Plague to the peace of country life “in good
-King Charles’s golden days.”
-
-So she brings her heroine down into Berkshire. A very short journey we
-take it to have been, or the old horse must have been more swift of foot
-than we should gather from Mistress Cherry’s description, for Buckland
-in Berks lies not far from Faringdon, and over seventy miles from London
-town. One of those quiet little villages it is that nestle among the low
-hills that overlook the peaceful valley of the upper Thames. A fine old
-church may have had Master Blower for its vicar. It has four bells and a
-register that date from his day. There are memorials of two families,
-the Yates and the Southbys, who have passed away with the good old
-times. The house is not such as Mistress Cherry stayed in, but speaks
-all of the eighteenth century, of George the Second and Mr. Wood of
-Bath.
-
-It is tempting to wonder whether this part of the country was one Miss
-Manning ever saw—whether she watched the deer speeding by her—whether
-she felt the fascination of
-
-          “This little stream whose hamlets scarce have names,
-           This far-off, lonely mother of the Thames.”
-
-One may like to fancy her rejoicing in it, as Dante Gabriel Rossetti
-rejoiced, who lived in a quaint old house such as she had pictured
-Master Blower welcoming Cherry into, only a few miles away from
-Buckland, at Kelmscott. But the place refuses to be identified, and we
-must be content to conclude that Mistress Cherry’s geography was at
-fault.
-
-Having chosen a striking setting for her characters, Miss Manning knew
-well how to give them life. She had a quiet humour, and a kindly
-knowledge of human nature, which made her draw true portraits. Different
-readers will have their favourites, but I think few will fail to be
-drawn to honest Nathaniel Blower, priest and scholar, who, after days of
-poverty such as we may read many a true history of in Walker’s
-“Sufferings of the Clergy,” and a sore struggle with the Plague, lived
-to be Rector of Whitechapel, and better still, after the crowning
-misfortune of the Fire, to end his days quietly among the country folk
-at Bucklands with his good wife by his side. Master Blower is indeed
-drawn with Miss Manning’s happiest touches: we do not readily forget the
-figure he presents in bed, or how he “in his Deliration went through the
-whole Book of Job in his head.”
-
-Whether most lads would not fall in love with Violet we cannot tell, but
-certainly quiet Cherry is a good woman, worthy of the hand of Mary
-Wilkins. We may sometimes feel that she is a damsel of the nineteenth
-century at masquerade in the dress of two centuries before; but we like
-her none the less if we fancy she is good Miss Manning in disguise.
-
-And so we leave her and Master Blower happy in their home at Bucklands.
-Good man, we doubt not he tilled his garden and tended his parish well,
-like the Berkshire priest and poet of to-day, and, it may be, with the
-same thought.
-
-           “In all my borders I my true love seek
-                 By flowery signs to set:
-            Praising the rose-carnation for her cheek,
-                 Her hair the violet;
-
-            Flowers that with sweet returns each season bloom,
-                 As each its impulse wakes,
-            Making air fragrant with a purple gloom,
-                 Or whorl of crimson flakes.
-
-            And ye who blanch your glow, violets more rare,
-                 Carnation, foam of light;
-            Be pledges of a beauty still more fair
-                 When hair and cheek are white.”
-
-All’s well that ends well. After prim Puritanism and roystering
-Restoration revels, after Plague and Fire, comes the quiet ending in the
-country’s peace.
-
-                                                           W. H. HUTTON.
-
-                       THE GREAT HOUSE, BURFORD,
-                            _June 26, 1896_.
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-                           CHERRY AND VIOLET
-
-
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-                           CHERRY AND VIOLET
-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER I
-
-         _The Reminiscences of Mistress Cherry.—The Fire, & Double
-                          Tide.—Mal-conversation._
-
-
-I WONDER whether many People, on reviewing their past Lives, feel as I do on
-looking back on mine; that, had they had the ordering the outward
-Circumstances connected with them beforehand, such as Time, Place,
-Health, Sickness, Friends, Acquaintances, and such-like Conditions, they
-could not have arranged them half so well as they have been disposed for
-them. When I fall into a Muse on the Past, the Moments fly so swiftly
-that I am lost in Amazement when I find how the Time has slipped by
-while thus pleasantly employed. And yet many of the Arrangements which
-were made for me by a greater Wisdom than mine, were such as at the Time
-were far from agreeable to me; nay, were sometimes so repugnant to Flesh
-and Blood as to nourish rebellious Thoughts, and call forth Showers of
-Tears. And still the Process went on; as I now see, all for my Good.
-
-My Father married my Mother in the Spring of the Year 1632: being then
-in the Prime of Life, a personable, charming-looking Man, though small
-of Stature, and with a Nose somewhat awry. In his Conditions he was ever
-most lovely; of a sweet Temper, shrewd Observance, stout Heart, and
-lively Wit. Many, no Doubt, had read more, by reason of their
-Opportunities; but what few Books he knew, he turned to Profit, and
-perhaps no Man concocted his Reading into Judgment better than he; by
-which he became so judicious and oracular, as that though he could not
-indeed prophesy, he could presage; and some of his Presages came true
-and others not, but might have done so, had Events taken but in a very
-slight Degree a different Course. He knew how to sound his Customers,
-and suck the Marrow of their Knowledge, while keeping his own Counsel:
-but this was his Prudence, not Pusillanimity, for I have heard it
-remarked by one who knew him well, that the _Trojan_ Horse was not more
-full of Valour than he, for so small a Man. Being a Hair-dresser, this
-was not so evident in him as if he had been a Soldier; but yet every
-Man’s Life affords Occasions, as my Father’s certainly did, of showing
-what is in him and what is not.
-
-In Dress, his Taste was excessive neat, and yet gaudy; so that on
-_Sundays_, when he appeared in what he called his Marigold-and-Poppy,
-with his Hair, which Men then wore very long, combed down in large
-smooth Curls, his laced Collar nicely ironed, his Beaver well brushed,
-and his Shoes shining like Coals ... it would have been difficult to
-find a Grain of Fault with him, save that, as my Cousin _Mark_ was wont
-to say, the Colours of his Suit did too much swear at one another. For
-my own Part, I always had an Impression that he was an excessive
-well-looking Man, not out of any Prejudice, but downright Prepossession;
-and yet my dear Mother, who I am sure loved him truly, always said to me
-when I alluded to the Subject, “My Dear, the Qualities of his Person
-were always far exceeded by those of his Mind.”
-
-Of my Cousin _Mark_, who was my Father’s Apprentice, there could not be
-two Opinions. He was winsome, lightsome, debonair; of most comely Person
-and Aspect: we were all very proud of him, and he of himself. If he had
-a Fault, it was thinking too much of himself and too little of others;
-but this is so common that I do not know I am justified in
-particularizing it. Also he was somewhat of a Coward, not in respect of
-personal, animal Courage, of which I suppose he had as much as the
-aforesaid _Trojan_ Horse, whatever that might be; but morally cowardly,
-as to what would be thought of him by others, and dreading the Evil of
-the present Moment, and so forth; which Men don’t think so bad a kind of
-Cowardice as the other, but I do.
-
-But his Temper was most sweet: his Manners most engaging. Oh! how much
-he came to be thought of, at length, all along the Bridge! I have no
-other Fault to find in him besides those already reckoned; unless it
-were a general Want of Principle, which was less apparent than it would
-have been, had it not been covered rather than supplied by good Feeling.
-But ’tis ill reckoning the Faults of one’s Friends.
-
-Of my Mother, how shall I say enough? She was tall, slender, and comely
-to look upon, with sweet and quick grey Eyes. She was naturally of a
-high Spirit, which had been brought under a Curb by Divine Grace. She
-was kind and obliging to all, stirring and thrifty, yet not niggardly;
-soft-hearted to the Poor, of wonderful Propriety without the least
-Priggishness, loved by her Friends, and especially in her own Family.
-Now I have counted up the whole House except our Lodger, Master
-_Blower_, and _Dolly_, the Cook.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  My Father’s shop was on the east side of London Bridge
-]
-
-My Father’s Shop was on the east Side of _London Bridge_. Over his Door
-hung his Sign of “_The Lock of Hair_;” and over the Shop-front was
-painted in yellow Letters the following Inscription,—
-
-    “PETER CURLING _sells all Sorts of Hair, Curled or Uncurled,
-    Roses, Braids, Cauls, Ribbons, Weaving, Sewing-silk, Cards, and
-    Blocks. Together with Combs, Crisping-pins, Perfumery, and all
-    other Goods made use of by Tonsors and Hairdressers, at the
-    Lowest Prices_.”
-
-On the opposite Side of the Way, was a Vintner’s, by the Name of _Abel_,
-who had humorously set up _a Bell_ for his Sign, and painted beneath it,
-“Quoth the Wag, I am _Abel_.”
-
-Next Door to us on one Side, lived a Bookseller and Stationer named
-_Benskin_, whose Sign was the Bible and Star; and next Door to us on the
-other Side was a Glover named _Hugh Braidfoot_, a jolly, good-tempered
-Bachelor, black-haired, fresh-coloured, and six Feet high, whose Sign
-was the Roebuck.
-
-A few Weeks after my Birth, which was in _February, 1633_, in the Midst
-of a notable hard Frost, there broke out a most dreadful Fire at the
-north End of the Bridge, which consumed all the Houses on both Sides,
-from _St. Magnus’_ Church to the first open Space on the Bridge. There
-was, I have heard tell, much bodily Hurt as well as Destruction of
-Property; many Persons in precipitating themselves from upper Stories,
-getting their Limbs broken. “Water! Water!” was the Cry, and all in
-vain, for though the _Thames_ lay right under the Houses, ’twas one
-great Cake of Ice, and the only Resource was to break the Conduit Pipes
-that ran through the Streets leading to the Bridge, and sweep the Water
-down with Brooms, to supply the three Engines that every one had thought
-would be such Helps in Time of Need, but which proved very sorry Helps
-indeed. In the Midst of the Tumult and Danger, some Neighbours of ours
-that were burned out of House and Home, took Refuge with us; to wit, the
-Wife and infant Daughter of Master _Samuel Armytage_, Haberdasher of
-small Wares; the Infant being, like myself, a Nursling of only a few
-Weeks old. These homeless Strangers did my Mother hospitably and
-Christianly entertain, bestirring herself more in her Care for them than
-in her tender Case it was fit she should have done, and putting us two
-Infants into one and the same Cradle. With our little Arms locked about
-one another, in an Atmosphere of Christian Love, ’twas no Wonder that
-little _Violet_ and I conceived a Tenderness for each other, e’en while
-Sucklings, that grew with our Growth, and strengthened with our
-Strength. As for the elder Parties, Hospitality on the one Side and
-Thankfulness on the other caused a more than common Friendliness to
-spring up between them from that Time forth. And when the Fugitives were
-re-established in their re-built Houses, they long had an impressive and
-solemnifying Remembrance of their narrow Escape from an awful and
-terrible Death.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Now, though I cannot, of course, remember Anything of the Fire, I have a
-perfect Recollection of the next notable Occurrence among us, of _the
-Double Tide_, which happened in my eighth Year; and how the River, after
-lying as still as a Stone for more than an Hour, suddenly came foaming
-up from _Greenwich_, roaring, boiling, and splashing to that Degree that
-it was Horror to look upon. And my Father, after contemplating the
-Prodigy along with all the rest, exclaimed, “Well, Friends! you may say
-what you will; but I, though not a superstitious Man, think Something
-will come of it.” And did not Something come of it ... or, at any Rate,
-after it? and were not we, that had previously been sleeping on the
-still Waters of a settled Government, horribly overwhelmed with a Tide
-of Rebellion, Anarchy, and Republicanism?
-
-The Year before the Double Tide, there had been much Talk in my Father’s
-Shop, about the Earl of _Strafford_ being given over to the Black Rod,
-which I, being of such tender Years, could not well make out, but it
-seemed to carry an ill Sound with it. After that, he was taken to his
-Trial; and passed from his Prison in the _Tower_ to _Westminster_, under
-our Bridge. We looked forth of our Windows, and discerned him plainly in
-one of the Barges, guarded by Soldiers with Partizans; and there was
-much Yelling and Hooting as he went through the Arch, which I for my
-Part was sorry for, he was so handsome and personable a Gentleman. The
-People, however, were much incensed against him; and, about three Months
-after the Double Tide, there was what I may call a Double Tide of
-’Prentices and tumultuous Citizens, to the Number of about six Thousand,
-(my Cousin, _Mark Blenkinsop_, being among them,) who assembled
-themselves in an intimidating Manner at _Westminster_, many of them
-armed with Swords and Staves, and demanded Lord _Strafford’s_ Death of
-the Peers as they went to the House.
-
-I remember my Father, for as small a Man as he was, collaring _Mark_
-when he came back, and dealing him one or two Blows, which made me begin
-to cry, and run in between them. And _Mark_, though a great, tall Lad of
-his Years, began to whimper too, which reminds me again of the _Trojan_
-Horse, and the Valour that may dwell in a little Body, and the
-Pusillanimity that may be in a large one. And, “sure, Uncle,” says
-_Mark_, “the Earl deserves to die, for his” ... Mal-conversation, or
-Malministration, I forget which. And my Father replied, “Never trouble
-your Head with that. Leave the Powers that be to settle their own
-Affairs. Fine Times, indeed, when Barbers’ ’Prentices must be meddling
-in State-politics! To his own Master, the _Earl_ standeth or falleth.”
-
-Had all Men been of my Father’s equable and temperate Mind, we should
-not have fallen into the Disorders we presently did; wherein, no Doubt,
-there was much Wrong on both Sides. One Night we were roused from Sleep
-by Cries in the Street that “the _King_ and his Papists were coming to
-fire the City and cut our Throats in our Beds;” but my Father, after
-putting his Head forth to learn the Nature of the Tumult, drew it in
-again and closed the Window, allaying our somewhat ungoverned Fears with
-that Composure which it behoves every Master of a Family to assume when
-he can, in Seasons of Danger or the Apprehension of it.
-
-Soon there was open War between _King_ and _Parliament_, which went on
-increasing till the whole Country was filled with Bloodshed and
-Confusion, and only ended in a total Change of Government. We were now
-in a State of Fortification; for the _Lords_ and _Commons_ had directed
-that the whole City should be put in a State of Defence, and that the
-_Lord Mayor_ and Citizens should trench, stop, and fortify all Highways
-leading thereunto. Wherefore, all Entrances into _London_ except five,
-were stoned and bricked up altogether; and those five were made as
-strong as could be, with Breast-works and Turn-pikes, Musket-proof. And
-all Sheds and Out-buildings outside _London Wall_, that were near enough
-to be advantageous to an Enemy, were taken down; and this gave a great
-deal of Work to do that behoved to be done quickly; wherefore even Women
-and Children helped the Men in carrying Earth, Stones, &c., for, by this
-Time, there was in the City a pretty general Disaffection towards the
-_King_; and those that wished him well and could not get to him, found
-it best to hold their Peace.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER II
-
-     _Cherry endeavours to remember if she were pretty.—A Water-party._
-
-
-AND now my Memory flies on to the Time when, I suppose, I was as happy a
-Girl as any on the _Bridge_. I know not whether I were pretty or not,—I
-rather suppose I was, but my Father praised me too much, and my dear
-Mother never praised me at all, so that I have no Clue to what was
-really thought of me. There’s an old Saying, “Even a little Beetle is a
-Beauty in the Eyes of its Mother,”—I am bold to think that if I had been
-a little Black-beetle, I should still have been a Beauty in the Eyes of
-my Father. My Mother used to tell him “all his Geese were Swans,” which
-was as much as to say that hers were not: be that as it may, if she
-praised me less, I always felt she loved me as much as he did; and I
-loved her to the full as much as I loved him.
-
-I remember coming down Stairs one _Sunday_ Morning, dressed for
-Church,—(we had no Liturgy, nor Church of _England_ Clergymen then, such
-was the Will of _Parliament_,)—dressed in a primrose Petticoat and
-grass-green Mantua neatly bundled up behind; black Mits without a Crease
-in them for Tightness, white Pinners starched and crimped, and a small
-steeple-crowned Hat,—when _Mark_, meeting me at the Stair-foot, stepped
-out of my Way with a sliding Bow, said, “Bless me, how pretty we are!”
-and looked attentively after me. I felt ashamed and yet elated; and
-thought somewhat more of myself and of him after that; yet I am not
-quite sure, now, that his Speech was not ironical, after all.
-
-Of my Friend and Schoolfellow, _Violet Armytage_, there could not be two
-Opinions. She was excessively pretty, and knew it too well: which was
-partly the Fault of her Father, who was always calling her his “sweet
-_Wi-let_;” and yet, even if he had not, I think she would have found it
-out, for all that. _My_ Father called me his rosy _Cherry_, but I knew
-it for his Manner of Speaking. But _Violet_ always believed Everything
-that was said in her Praise. She was fond of me by Fits and Starts; and
-when the affectionate Fit was on, she would bring her Work and sit with
-me in the Arbour at the Top of our House, by the Hour together.
-Sometimes my Father and Mother would join us there in the long Summer
-Evenings, and we would sup in the open Air; no one objecting to it but
-_Dolly_, who had to carry the Things up so many Pair of Stairs.
-
-At other Times, when my Father and Mother were otherwise engaged, _Mark_
-would come up to us; and sit upon the Roller or Watering-pot, and say
-ever so many funny Things to us both; which we thought very pleasant.
-Sometimes _Violet_ would let her Ball of Thread roll through the Rails
-and drop down into the Street, and send him to fetch it; and when he had
-brought it she would do the same Thing again; which he said was too bad,
-but I don’t think he minded it. I never played him such Tricks myself;
-for, what was singular, though we lived in the same House together, I
-was shyer of him than she was.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Our first Floor was let to a very learned and excellent Man, though a
-very singular one, the Reverend _Nathanael Blower_, who had been Curate
-of _St. Magnus_ till the Form of Religion changed. Then he was hard put
-to it, where to lay his Head without fleeing the Country or getting into
-Trouble; for the Independents were mighty intolerant; and he whom we
-used to think it a great Honour to get a passing Word and a Smile from,
-was now thankful to take up his Rest among us. Holy Writ tells us that
-some have entertained Angels unawares: if we entertained an Angel, it
-was not unawares, though he was a very eccentric and untidy one. He said
-he would have called my Mother the good _Shunammite_ if it had not been
-a Shame to provoke Comparison between himself and the Prophet _Elijah_.
-Indeed his was somewhat like the “Chamber on the Wall,” for the
-Back-room in which he slept was a Lean-to that stuck against the main
-Wall like a Swallow’s Nest, and hung perilously over the foaming River,
-trembling at every half-ebb Tide; but Use inures us to Everything, and
-he said he slept as well in his Nest as a Sailor in his Hammock. As to
-his Sitting-chamber, it was soon a perfect Pig-sty (if Pigs ever had
-Books) of Papers, Parchments, Books, Pamphlets, old Shoes, Hats and
-Coats, Medicines, Cordials, Snuff-boxes, Pipes, Walking-sticks, and
-Everything that is untidy. After a Time he began to think whether he
-might not, by a conscientious Conformity, be a Working-bee rather than a
-Drone in the Hive; and, having some Acquaintance with Master _John
-Howe_, the _Whitehall_ Preacher, who was known to be forward in
-assisting the Royalists and Episcopalians in Distress, if they were but
-Men of Merit, he went and took his Advice on the Subject before he
-presented himself before the Triers, that is to say, those who tried the
-ejected Ministers whether they might be allowed to officiate again in
-Public or not. Along with him went Doctor _Fuller_, so well known by his
-wise and witty Books; who was generally upon the merry Pin, for as pious
-a Man as he was. He, presenting himself before Master _Howe_, said,
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  The Back-room in which he slept was a Lean-to that stuck against the
-    Main Wall
-]
-
-“Sir, you may observe I am a pretty corpulent Man, and I am to go
-through a Passage that is very strait. I beg you would be so kind as to
-give me a Shove, and help me through!”
-
-Master _Howe_ smiled, and frankly debated the Subject with him and
-Master _Blower_; and the End of it was, that when the Triers put it to
-Master _Fuller_ whether he had ever had any Experience of a Work of
-Grace upon his Heart, he made Answer, that he could appeal to the
-Searcher of Hearts, that he made Conscience of his very Thoughts; and
-Master _Blower_ said in other Words what amounted to the same Thing;
-howbeit, like _Pharaoh’s_ Butler and Baker, one was accepted—the other
-not.
-
-And the Reason was, that they got upon the Question of particular Faith,
-which was very prevalent in _Oliver Cromwell’s_ Court, and put it to him
-whether he did not believe that all who asked for Anything in Faith
-would have it granted them, as well as have an Assurance on the Spot
-that it would be so. Which he said, in that large, unqualified Sense, he
-did not, for that he believed many timid Believers had the Faith of
-Adherence who had not the Faith of Assurance; and that if Prayer were
-made for some unreasonable Thing, however fervently, he did not think it
-would be granted. That would not stand Master _Blower_; so he had to
-come back to his Swallow’s Nest.
-
-“But is it not an extraordinary Thing, now,” saith he to my Mother,
-“that they should, except for the Sake of catching a Man in his Talk, so
-hardly insist on the literal Acceptance of a Dogma which they themselves
-must know they overstrain? For would one of them dare to pray that his
-Father or Mother might come to Life again in this present World, however
-much he might long to see them in the Body? Or that all Jews, Infidels,
-and Heretics, might be converted this very Moment, however desirable a
-Thing it might be? We do the Word of God Dishonour and make it of none
-Effect when we interpret by the Letter instead of the Spirit.”
-
-In this Fashion would the excellent Master _Blower_ vouchsafe to
-converse with my Mother in my Hearing, much to her Edification and mine.
-Meantime _Violet Armytage_ was much more given to Flirting than
-Preaching; and had more Admirers than any Girl on the _Bridge_; but the
-Man whom she and her Mother were chiefly desirous she should captivate
-was no Admirer of hers at all. This was _Hugh Braidfoot_, the Glover,
-who lived next Door to us; and who talked the Matter over with my Father
-very freely when they had the Shop to themselves; I sewing in the
-Parlour behind.
-
-“I can see quite plainly through the old Lady,” quoth he, as he sate on
-his favourite Seat, the Counter, with his Feet easily reaching the
-Floor, “I can see what she’s driving at, and don’t respect her for it a
-bit. Why should she always be buying Gloves three or four Sizes too
-small for her broad red Hand, and then be sending _Violet_ over to
-change them again and again till they fit? I’ve a dozen Pair wasted that
-she has stretched. And where is the other Daughter, and why is she
-always in the Background?”
-
-“_Kitty_ is sickly and a little lame,” says my Father, “and has her
-Health better in the Country.”
-
-“I don’t believe she’s either sickly or lame,” says _Hugh Braidfoot_,
-“only the Mother wants to get this Daughter off first—and stands in her
-own Light by her Manœuvres, I can tell her. Defend me from a managing
-Mother!”
-
-About this Time, my Father’s Trade had a short but surprising Impetus,
-which, as he said to my Mother, “was but the Flaring up of a Candle in
-the Socket, just before it goes out.” Cropped Heads and long Curls being
-now the Signs of different Parties, and the Round-heads having the
-uppermost, numerous Persons that had hitherto been vain enough of their
-long and graceful Tresses, which brought no small Gain to the
-Hairdressers, were now anxious to be shorn as close as _French_ Poodles,
-for Fear of getting into Scrapes with the reigning Power. And as, like
-the Sheep after Shearing, they left their Fleeces behind them, which
-were in many Cases exceeding valuable, my Father and _Mark_ were busied
-from Morning to Night, in washing, baking, and weaving beautiful Sets of
-Hair, which were carefully reserved for future Occasion.
-
-“For you will see,” quoth my Father, “there will sooner or later be a
-Reaction; _I_ may not live to see it, but you Youngsters will; People
-will be tired of Puritanism and Rebellion some of these Days, and then
-the old State of Things will come back; and the Croppies will be as
-ashamed of their Stubble Heads as the Cavaliers are of their Love-locks
-now; and, as Hair won’t grow as fast as green Peas, they will then be
-constrained to wear Wigs, and then will come a rare Time for the
-Barbers!” Every Word of which, like so many other of his Prophesyings
-and Presages, in due Season proved strictly true!
-
-Meantime, though this Fury for cropping filled the Till as long as there
-was any long Hair to cut off, yet, this being presently done, a great
-Stagnation of Business ensued; for, whereas the curled Locks had
-required constant curling, brushing, and trimming, the round Heads were
-easily kept short, and brought only Pence where the others had brought
-Shillings. My Father kept his Hair long to the last; and, to express his
-Opinion of the Times so as e’en they who ran might read, he set up two
-waxen Effigies in his Window, not merely Heads, but half Lengths; the
-one representing an exceeding comely and handsome young Man, (very much
-like my Cousin _Mark_,) with long, fair Tresses most beautifully
-crimped, falling over his _Vandyke_ Collar and black Velvet Coat: the
-other, with as red a Nose as old _Noll_, close cropped, so as to show
-his large Ears sticking out on each Side. And to make the Satire more
-pungent, the Round-head made as though pointing to the Cavalier, with a
-small Label superscribed, “See what I was!”—and the Cavalier, with a
-Look of silent Disgust, was signing at the Round-head and saying, “See
-what I shall be!”
-
-[Illustration]
-
-This Comicality, which had cost my Father and _Mark_ sundry Hours of
-evening Labour,—(I had made the Dresses,) drew Crowds of People to the
-Window, so as even to obstruct the Passage along the Bridge; and excited
-Peals of ironical Laughter; till, at length, Mirth proceeding to
-Mischief, Blows began to ensue among those who favoured opposite Sides.
-Then the Bridgewardens came with Constables and Weapons to quell the
-Disturbance, and an idle Fellow was set in the Cage, and another, with
-long Hair, put in the Stocks; and one or two of our Panes of Glass were
-broken; so that what began in Sport ended much too seriously; and my
-Father, finding he must yield to the Times, changed the Cavalier’s
-Placard into “See what you had better be,” and finally removed it
-altogether, saying he was nauseated with time-serving. But he persisted
-in wearing his own long Hair, come what would; which drew from the
-Reverend Master _Blower_ that Similitude about the _Trojan_ Horse, who,
-I suppose, persisted in wearing his Mane and long Tail after they had
-become Types of a Party. And when my Father was called in question for
-it by one of the Bridgewardens, and asked why he persevered in troubling
-_Israel_, he with his usual Spirit retorted upon him with, “How can a
-Tonsor be expected to hold with a Party that puts Pence into his Till
-instead of Shillings?” Whereupon the Bridgewarden called him a
-self-interested _Demas_, and said no more to him.
-
-_Hugh Braidfoot_ upheld him through thick and thin, laughing all the
-while; though he kept his own bushy Head as short as a Blacking-brush.
-Indeed, this Man, though the Essence of Mirth and Good-humour, strongly
-built, and six Foot high, had not a Quarter of my Father’s Valour.
-
-As for Master _Blower_, he made a wry Face on it, saying that Magnasheh
-Miksheh (which I afterwards heard was Hebrew for well-set Hair) was now
-of no Account.
-
-—One Evening,—I have good Reason to remember it,—the Days being sultry
-and at their longest,—we made a Pleasure-party to _Greenwich_, and took
-Water below the Bridge. Coming back just as the Moon was rising, a
-Boat-full of uproarious and half-intoxicated young Men fell foul of us
-and upset us. I shall never forget my Sensations as I went into the
-Water!—The next Minute, I was half out of it again, and found _Mark’s_
-Arm close round me, while with the other he struck out, and presently
-brought me ashore. My dear Father also rescued my Mother; and _Hugh
-Braidfoot’s_ long Legs helped him more in wading out like a Heron, I
-think, than his Arms in swimming, for he, too, presently came aland,
-covered with Mud. My Mother and I cried, and felt very grateful to
-_Mark_, who stood panting and colouring, and looking very much pleased
-with himself; and presently we were all in another Boat on our Way to
-the Bridge Stairs, drenched, quiet, and thankful for our providential
-Escape.... I, especially, feeling, oh! how happy!—Yet, in after Days,
-there was a Time when I was ready to wish _Mark_ had left me in the
-River—.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER III
-
-                        _Result of the Water-Party._
-
-
-THE only Person in the Boat, who was left for the Boatman to save, was
-Mistress _Glossop_, the Widow of a _Cheapside_ Hairdresser in a much
-larger Way of Business than my Father, with whom we were on very
-intimate Terms. She was a Woman of about forty-five, tall, bulky, and
-with a very heated Face, which was the Result of Intemperance, not in
-drinking, but eating, as I have often heard her acknowledge. She was
-fond of Everything nice, and had a Habit of saying, “Oh, I can’t resist
-this!” “I never can resist that!” which used to disgust me with her; and
-make me ready to say, “More Shame for you if you cannot.” She and her
-Husband had always been well to do; and now she was Mistress of a large
-Business, with Court-patronage, such as it was, and a Foreman and three
-’Prentices under her; besides keeping a professed Cook, Housemaid, and
-Scullion. And whereas she and Master _Glossop_ had always been
-Companions and Gossips of my Father and Mother, whose Ages were suitable
-to them, yet, now she had cast off her Weeds, she went mighty fine; and
-_Mark_, who thought her sufficiently unagreeable, though he often went
-on Errands to her, said he was sure she was casting about for a second.
-To a Woman of her Habit, the Ducking she got was unlikely to be of much
-Good; and as for her flame-coloured Mantua, and pea-green Mantle, they
-were ruined outright: however, she was very merry about it, and as we
-were all engaged to sup with her, would hear of no excuse. Howbeit, my
-Mother was too wet for doing Anything but going Home and to Bed: my
-Father would not leave her; _Hugh Braidfoot_ said he would join us, but
-did not; and the End was, that _Mark_ and I, when we had dressed
-ourselves afresh and kept our Engagement, found Nobody to meet us but
-some _Cheapside_ Shop-keepers who had not been on the Water. And though
-they made very merry, and though there were Lobsters, and Pound-cake,
-and Ducks, and green Peas, and fried Plum-pudding, and Gooseberry Pie,
-and other Delicacies too numerous to mention, I had no Mind to eat, but
-sat shivering, and scorching, and thinking of the Water closing over me;
-and at length, before any one else was ready to leave, begged Mistress
-_Glossop_ to let me wish her Good-night.
-
-_Mark_, though he was in high Spirits, came away with me, and very
-kindly said he feared I was the worse for the Accident. And though he
-had been very talkative at the Supper-table, yet as soon as we got into
-the open Air we became as quiet as two Judges, and walked Home scarcely
-speaking a Word, till we came to that last one, “Good-night.”
-
-I had taken Cold, which, with a good deal of Fever attending it, made me
-very poorly for some Days; and my dear Mother, who did not show it so
-much at first, had in fact taken her Death-chill, though we knew it not
-till long afterwards. Meantime, she kept about; I seeming at first the
-worst of the two, and sitting by the Fire in a Cloke, very chilly,
-though ’twas close upon the Dog-days. _Violet Armytage_ came over the
-Way to see me; and saith she, “Dear _Cherry_, how well _Mark_ behaved! I
-shall think the better of him for it as long as I live!”
-
-I felt I should do so too, but had no Mind to speak much about it; and,
-my Cold being heavy, and making me indisposed to talk, she soon went
-away. Almost daily, however, she came across; and, when she did not,
-_Mark_ went at her Desire to tell her how I was.
-
-And so I got well; and just as I was fit for going out again, my dear
-Mother’s Illness became so apparent that I kept wholly to the House. At
-first we thought it troublesome rather than dangerous, and were not
-frightened; and, though I sat by her Bed almost all Day long, she would
-sometimes send me down to work below and keep an Eye to the House. Her
-Illness subdued me a good deal; and _Mark_ was become unwontedly gentle
-and silent; so that, though we scarce saw each other save at Meals, we
-said little; and yet I never felt him to be better Company.
-
-_Violet_ sent me Word that unusual Press of Business in the Shop kept
-her from coming over, but begged I would never let a Day pass without
-sending her Word how my Mother was; which I did, though thinking, now
-and then, she might have just run over, if but for a Minute.
-
-One sultry Evening, my Mother being ready to compose herself to Sleep,
-bade me sit below till she rang for me, as she was sure the Room must be
-warm and close. It was so, in fact, and I was feeling a little faint,
-therefore was glad to sit at the open Casement of our Parlour behind the
-Shop. The Business of the Day was done; my Father was gossiping with
-_Hugh Braidfoot_ next Door; there was a pleasing Confusion of distant
-Sounds from the City and along the Water; Boatmen calling “Yo, heave
-ho,” and singing Snatches of Boat-songs; the Water trembling and
-murmuring among the Arches, and the Evening Air feeling soft and
-reviving.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-While I was thus sitting, all alone save for _Dolly_ in the Kitchen, and
-Master _Blower_ on the first Story, _Mark_ comes in and gives me a Posy,
-saying, “_Violet_ sends you these Flowers:” and then remained, with his
-Hand resting on the Back of my Chair.
-
-I know not how long we thus remained, quite silent, and I conscious of
-great Pleasure in his Presence; till at last, for want of Anything more
-important to say, I observed, “How pleasant the Evening Air is coming
-over the Water!”
-
-“Very,” said he, without seeming to be thinking much about it: and again
-we were both quiet.
-
-“Cousin,” said he at length, in a very gentle Voice,—which was not his
-usual Way of addressing me, for in common he called me _Cherry_,—
-
-—“Dear Cousin, I have something to say to you”—and stopped.
-
-“What is it, _Mark_?” said I, softly.
-
-“We have lived long together,” began he again, faintly laughing, “and I
-never felt afraid of speaking to you, before—How odd it is that I should
-feel so, now!”
-
-“What have you to be afraid about?” said I, looking up at him: on which
-he coloured and looked away; and I did the same, without knowing why.
-
-“You have always been my Friend,” resumed he, taking Courage; “you will
-not be angry with me?”
-
-“Why should I?” said I. “Is there Anything to be angry about?”
-
-“Perhaps you may think so,” said he, “when you come to know all. Dear
-_Cherry_, I’m in Love!” And laughed, and then was silent.
-
-I never felt so perplexed what to say next. “I don’t see that is any
-Matter of mine,” said I at length.
-
-“Don’t you, though? But that depends upon whom I’m in Love with!” said
-he, smiling. “If it were with Anybody a hundred Miles off, that you had
-never seen or heard of, you might say it was no Matter of yours; but,
-_Cherry_, she’s not one Mile off! She’s the prettiest Girl on the
-Bridge!”
-
-“Then,” said I, turning scarlet as I spoke, “it must certainly be
-_Violet Armytage_!”
-
-“It is!” cried he rapturously. “What a Guesser you are!—Dear _Cherry_!”
-
-Oh! what a Bound my Heart gave; and then seemed to stop! For,—I’m only
-speaking to myself; to myself I may own the Truth—I had not thought he
-meant _Violet_!
-
-“Ah,” said he, after a long Silence, which I was as unable as he was
-disinclined to break, “I dare say you’ve seen it all along—I may have
-told you no News—you are such a good Secret-keeper, _Cherry_!”
-
-I could not yet say a Word—He had taken my Hand and wrung it; and I
-gently pressed his in Sign of Sympathy; it was all I could do, but it
-was quite enough.
-
-“How kind you are!” said he. “What do you think my Uncle will say?”
-
-“What do you think her Father will say?” said I faintly.
-
-“We are not going to tell him just yet,” returned he, “nor yet her
-Mother.”
-
-“That sounds bad, _Mark_——”
-
-“Nay, _Cherry_, you know how crazy the old Lady is to have _Braidfoot_
-for her Son-in-law; she’ll find in Time he won’t come forward, and
-_Violet_ will take care he shall not, for she will give him no
-Encouragement; but, till her Mother finds it won’t do, there’s no Use in
-my speaking, for you know I have nothing to marry upon, yet.”
-
-“When shall you have?” said I.
-
-“_When?_” repeated he, looking a little annoyed. “Why, _some of these
-Days_, as the Saying is. You know I am thorough Master of my Business
-now, have served my time, receive good Wages, and am very useful to your
-Father. Who knows but that, as Time goes on, he’ll take me for a
-Partner, and finally retire from Business?”
-
-“Ah, _Mark_, so little comes in now, that he will have nothing to retire
-upon. We can but just go on as we do.”
-
-“Well,” said he, laughing, with a little Embarrassment, “perhaps
-Mistress _Glossop_ will take me into Partnership. I’m a Favourite in
-that Quarter.”
-
-“Mistress _Glossop_! Oh, _Mark_!”
-
-“Nay, _Cherry_, don’t you see, if old Master _Armytage_ takes a Fancy to
-me, he may make it worth her while to do so, for the Sake of his ‘sweet
-_Wi-let_’?”
-
-“Ah, _Mark_, Master _Armytage_ is himself in a very small Way of
-Business—nothing at all to compare with Mistress _Glossop’s_. _We_ love
-and esteem them for old Acquaintance sake, but she looks quite down upon
-them. There are so many small Haberdashers on the Bridge!”
-
-“Well, the smaller he is, the less Reason he will have to look down upon
-me. I suppose you don’t mean to say, _Cherry_, that no young Man thinks
-of Marriage unless he is better off than I am?”
-
-“So far from it, _Mark_, that I cannot see what Right the _Armytages_
-have to expect a better Match for their Daughter; and therefore I think
-it a Pity there should be any Concealment.”
-
-“Marry come up!” cries he, “I would rather draw a Double-tooth for a
-fiery Dragon than tell Master _Armytage_ I was Suitor for his sweet
-_Wi-let_!”
-
-“Why, you will have to tell him sooner or later,” said I.
-
-“Not ... not if we wait till he dies,” said _Mark_.
-
-“_Dies!_ oh, _Mark_!”——
-
-“It’s ill, reckoning on dead Men’s Shoes, I own,” said he, looking
-rather ashamed.
-
-“It’s unfeeling and indelicate in the highest Degree,” said I. “Why
-should not _Violet_ tell her Father?”
-
-“Ah, _Cherry_, she will not; and what’s more, she has made me solemnly
-promise that _I_ will not, at present; so you see there’s no more to be
-said. We must just go on, hoping and waiting, as many young Couples have
-done before us; knowing that we love one another—and is not that, for a
-While at least, enough?”
-
-I faintly said, “Yes.”
-
-“You don’t speak so heartily, though, as I thought you would,” said he.
-“Don’t you sympathize with us, _Cherry_?”
-
-I looked up at him with a Smile, though my Lip quivered, and said
-fervently, “Oh, yes!”
-
-“That’s right!” said he gladly. “Now I shall feel that, whether Things
-go rough or smooth with me, you take cordial Part in them. GOD bless
-you, _Cherry_! And if ever I’m in any little Difficulty with _Violet_, I
-shall come to you for Advice and Help, rely upon it!—Hark, there is your
-Mother’s Bell.”
-
-I ran off, glad to leave him; and found my Mother coughing, and in want
-of some Water. When she had recovered herself, and composed herself
-again to Sleep, I sat by her Casement, looking out on the same Scene I
-had been gazing on an Hour before; but oh! with what different Feelings!
-
-The Trouble of my Soul taught me how much I had cared for him, what
-Expectations I had nourished of him, what Disappointment I felt in him.
-All was changed, all was shivered: never to be built up again! And yet
-no one knew what Hopes were wrecked within me.—The World was going on
-just the same!
-
-I thought how kind my Father and Mother had been to him, and how likely
-it was they had hoped he would marry me, and how certainly, in that
-case, my Father would have shared his Business with him.
-
-I thought how dull and forlorn a Place the World would now seem to me,
-but resolved they should never know it. I would go on, in all Respects,
-just the same.
-
-Large Tears were flowing unrestrained down my Cheeks, when Master
-_Blower’s_ Bell, having been once rung already, was now pulled again
-with some Impatience; and as _Dolly_ had stepped out, I answered it
-myself, and found he wanted his Supper, which he took at no particular
-Time, but just whenever he was inclined to lay aside his Reading or
-Writing. I might have spread the Table for him nineteen Times out of
-twenty, without his ever looking at me; however, on this Occasion he
-happened to have nothing better to do, and observed I was in trouble.
-
-“Child,” said he, “is thy Mother worse?”
-
-“No, Sir, I humbly thank you.”
-
-“Then,” says he, “Something else has happened to grieve thee, for thine
-Eyes are red with weeping. What is it?”
-
-But I could not tell him.
-
-“Well,” said he, after a Pause, “young Girls may have their Griefs that
-they don’t care to tell about.—Man is born to Trouble, as the Sparks fly
-upward. And sometimes those Griefs we show least, we feel most. But
-remember, my good Girl, (for a good Girl, _Cherry_, thou art!) that
-there is One to whom we may always carry our Burthens; One who can ease
-them, too, either by giving us Strength to bear them, or by removing
-them altogether.—Go pray, my Child, go pray!”
-
-And I did as he bade me, and found Balm for a bleeding Heart. He was a
-good and wise Man, was Master _Blower_.
-
-When my Mother awoke, she said, “_Cherry_, I don’t know what has come
-over me, but I feel a Peace and a Quiet past expressing ... I should not
-wonder if you have been praying for me, my Child.”
-
-I pressed her Hand and said, “Yes, Mother, I have ... and for myself
-too.”
-
-“This Illness of mine may be a Blessing in Disguise to us both,” said
-she after a Pause—“it has taught me your Value, _Cherry_.”
-
-“What a funny Story,” resumed she presently, quietly smiling, “might be
-written by a clever Hand about a Person who always fancied herself
-undervalued! ‘_The Undervalued Woman!_’—There are a good many such in
-the World, I fancy; poor Things, it seems no Joke to _them_. People who
-have that Impression of themselves generally take such silly Methods to
-prevent their being overlooked! They had better make themselves of real
-Importance, by being useful and thoughtful for others. They had better
-take Pattern by _you_, _Cherry_!”
-
-How dear, a Mother’s Praise! Especially when so seldom bestowed!
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER IV
-
-                               _Chelsea Buns_
-
-
-VIOLET seemed afraid (and yet why should she be?) to come near me, after
-_Mark’s_ Communication; and, as my dear Mother could ill spare me, I
-kept close House. We now felt the Blessing of having a discreet and
-godly Minister for our Inmate; for Master _Blower_ read and prayed much
-with my Mother, and comforted her greatly by his Discoursings. I
-likewise derived Benefit from the good Seed he scattered, which fell, as
-it were, into Ground much softened by heavy Rain.
-
-When I was able and inclined to step across to _Violet_, I found only
-Master _Armytage_ in the Shop; who said to me with some Shortness, “You
-will find my Daughters within,—I wish your Father would find Something
-more profitable for your Cousin to do, than to be always in our Parlour,
-a-hindering of Business.”
-
-I knew _Mark_ was not there just then, at any Rate, having left him at
-Home; and, stepping into Master _Armytage’s_ Back-room, I only found
-there a pale, gentle-looking Girl, with large, brown Eyes, diligently
-putting Shop-marks to a Box of new Ribbons. I knew her for _Kitty_,
-though her return Home was News to me; and, having not much to say to a
-Stranger, I asked her how she liked the _Bridge_. She said, “Not at all;
-I have been used to look upon Trees and Fields, and miss the Green; the
-Noises make my Head ache, and my Mother keeps me so close to my Work,
-that I pine for fresh Air.” I said, “Sure there is enough of it blowing
-through that open Window from the River!”
-
-“Do you call it fresh?” said she, rather contemptuously. “I do not, I
-can tell you! Instead of being scented with Cows’ Breath and new-mown
-Hay, it comes from Tan-yards and Butchers’ Shops.”
-
-When _Violet_ came in, she blushed very red, but we only spoke of
-indifferent Subjects: and, strange as it was of two such close
-Intimates, we never, from that Time forward, had any closer
-Communication. Perhaps it was her Fault, perhaps it was mine: or
-perhaps, no Fault of either, but a just and becoming Sense of what was
-best for two modest Girls in our new Relation. For, though it needed not
-to be supposed that she knew Anything of what was passing in my Mind, I
-am persuaded that she did.
-
-And thus the Families fell apart; and _Mark_ never renewed his
-Confidences to me after that first Evening; and, if he had Moments of
-keen Pleasure now and then, I am persuaded he had Hours of Pain he had
-never known before. For _Violet_ was capricious and coquettish, and
-sometimes would vex him by being unreasonable and hard to please: at
-other Times, by laying herself out to please others, as Master
-_Braidfoot_, and their Lodger Master _Clarke_. And though she gave out
-to _Mark_ that this was only for a Feint, to draw off the Attention of
-her Father and Mother from himself, yet sometimes it was certainly with
-no other Purpose than to plague him, and at other Times, I fear, with no
-better Purpose than to please herself; and I know it cost him many a
-Tear.
-
-Poor _Mark_! how my Heart ached for him, and swelled against her, when I
-found him one Evening with his Arms on the Table, and his Head on his
-Arms, and saw, when he looked up, that he had been crying. He rose, and
-looked out of Window, and said, “Has it done raining yet? I think I have
-been asleep!” But I knew he had not.
-
-All his Money now went in fine Clothes for himself, and Presents for
-her; so that if he needed a little Purse against his Marriage Day, he
-was not going the Way to fill it.
-
-There was great Talk among the young People, about this Time, of an
-Excursion up the River, to eat Buns and drink Whey at _Chelsea_. I was
-invited to join them, but declined, on account of my Mother: but _Mark_
-was to go, and could think of Nothing else. I washed and starched his
-Collar and Bands myself, and sewed a new Lace on his Hat. He wore a
-plain silver-grey Cloth Suit, which was sober, but very becoming, for he
-never affected strong Contrasts, like my Father. Knowing he was fond of
-a Flower in his Button-hole, but was pressed for Time to get one, I gave
-a little Girl a Penny to run down to the Market for the best Moss-rose
-she could buy, and gave it him myself. He thanked me most pleasantly for
-it, and looked so comely and cheerful, that when he went forth, I could
-not help standing just behind the Window-blind, to look after him, and
-to see the gay Party set out from Master _Armytage’s_. First, a Boy was
-sent forward, with a great Basket full of Veal-pies and other Dainties;
-then came out Master _Armytage_, with Mistress _Glossop_, who had
-condescended to join the Party, and wore a peach-blossom Silk, with
-pea-green Ribbons. Then Mistress _Armytage_, with a little Basket
-covered up, no Doubt containing Something very precious; and _Hugh
-Braidfoot_ by himself, with his Hands in his Pockets, as if he expected
-to be asked to carry it, and did not mean to offer, walking a little in
-Advance of her; then _Violet_, looking sweet! between _Mark_ and Master
-_Clarke_—(I know she liked having two better than one, whatever might be
-her Value for either;) and then _Kitty_, who by Rights should have had
-one or other of them, slowly following with Master and Mistress
-_Benskin_. I observed her to be a very little lame, but Nothing to speak
-of.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Well! the Day was fine, the Water looked lovely, there was Nothing to
-prevent their having a most charming Party of Pleasure, unless it were
-their own Fault. I thought of them many Times, as I sat quietly weaving
-Hair at my Mother’s Bedside; and fancied them floating on the River,
-landing under tall Trees, rambling among Meadows, sitting on the Grass,
-eating and drinking in the Shade, and scattering in small Parties. I
-fancied what I should do and feel if I were _Violet_, and how _Mark_
-would comport himself, and what he would say: but, when I looked on my
-Mother’s pain-worn Face, I did not wish to change Places.
-
-They did not come Home till very late; much too late. I had persuaded my
-Father to go to Bed, and let me sit up for _Mark_, for Fear of
-disturbing my Mother. He said _Dolly_ might as well sit up too; however,
-she proved heavy to sleep, so I sent her to Bed.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  And looked on the Bridge
-]
-
-Then I sat at my Window, which was over Master _Blower’s_ Sitting-room,
-and looked out on the _Bridge_. The Harvest-moon, brightly shining, made
-our Side of the Way as light as Day, but Master _Armytage’s_ Side was in
-deep Shade. I heard _St. Magnus’s_ Clock, and _St. Paul’s_, and _St.
-Mary Overy’s_, strike Eleven. Then I saw some dark Figures coming along
-in the Shade, and stop at Master _Armytage’s_ Door, and knock up the
-Maid, who, after long Delay, came sleepily to the Door with a Candle.
-Then the others, who had been talking, but not much, like People who
-were very tired after too long a Day’s Pleasure, said “Good-night;” and
-I saw _Hugh Braidfoot_ shake Hands with the Girl on his Arm, and step
-across to his own Door in the broad Moonshine. Master and Mistress
-_Benskin_ had gone Home before, and let themselves in with the
-House-key. I counted those that entered Master _Armytage’s_, and only
-made out his own Family. _Mark_ had doubtless seen Mistress _Glossop_ to
-her own Door, as was right and fitting. For him, then, I must expect to
-wait a good While longer: and I _did_ wait a good While; till all the
-Clocks struck Twelve. Just as they had done striking, I heard and knew
-his Step, and opened the Door without his knocking.
-
-“Have you had a pleasant Day?” said I.
-
-I looked at him as I spoke, and shall never forget his Face!
-
-—“Good-night,” said he shortly; “we’ll talk it over to-morrow,”—
-
-And impatiently took from my Hands his Candle, which I was trying to
-light for him at mine. But it had been snuffed too short, and would not
-light as readily as he wished; which made him curse it in a low, deep
-Voice. I had never heard him swear before.
-
-“_Mark_,” said I, looking anxiously at him, “you are ill.”
-
-“No, I’m not,” said he abruptly; “Good-night. Thank you for sitting up
-for me.”
-
-“I’m not at all tired,” said I, “and there’s some Supper for you in the
-Kitchen. Let us go there, and have a little Chat over the Pleasures of
-the Day—you don’t look sleepy.”
-
-From white he turned to deep red.
-
-“The Day has not been so pleasant as you suppose,” said he huskily; “you
-have been better and happier at your Mother’s Bedside. I wish there were
-more such as you in the World. Good-night, dear, good _Cherry_!”
-
-—And sprang up Stairs without another Word, taking two Steps at a Time.
-I went to Bed, but not to sleep; I could not get his strange Look and
-Manner out of my Head.
-
-The next Morning, at Breakfast-time, _Mark_ did not appear. _Dolly_ said
-he had gone out early. My Father was angry, and sent across the Way for
-him, knowing he was but too often at Master _Armytage’s_. But _Dolly_
-brought back Word they had seen Nothing of him. Then we concluded he had
-gone for an early Walk, as was often his Custom, and had outstayed his
-Time. However, we breakfasted without him at length, and still he did
-not come back.
-
-“Confound that Boy,” said my patient Father at last—(thus, the Fault of
-one Party provoked the Sin of another,)—“it’s plaguy tiresome of him to
-be playing Truant this Morning, of all Days in the Year, for I have
-pressing Business in _Eastcheap_.”
-
-“Leave me in Charge of the Shop, _Father_,” said I,—“my Mother’s Cough
-is quiet, now she is dozing; and I shall hear her Bell.”
-
-“Well, I suppose I must,” said he very reluctantly; “but I shall trounce
-Master _Mark_ well for his Conduct when I see him next, he may rely upon
-it!”
-
-So he left me in Charge; and my loved Mother being in a Kind of
-lethargic Slumber, which often lasted many Hours, I left the Doors open
-between us, and sat in the Shop. As Fate would have it, not a single
-Customer looked in the whole Time my Father was away; which was lucky,
-though we did not feel very thankful, in usual, for this Falling-off in
-Business. Before he returned, _Mark_ came in, and beckoned me into the
-Parlour.
-
-“What is the Matter?” said I, with a violently beating Heart.
-
-“I’ve done it!” said he breathlessly.
-
-“Done what?” said I.
-
-“Married!” said he: and hid his Face in his Hands.
-
-“Dear _Mark_, how imprudent!” I exclaimed affectionately; “what _will_
-the _Armytages_ say?”
-
-“What will they, _indeed_!” repeated he, “_Violet_ especially! She drove
-me to it!”
-
-“_Violet?_ _Drove_ you to marry her?” I cried.—It sounded so strange!
-
-“Oh, _Cherry_! what _will_ you say? It makes me shudder to tell you!” he
-rapidly said; “Nothing but that Girl’s incorrigible Coquetry could have
-made me break with her as I did; and then Reproaches led to Taunts, and
-Taunts to Threatenings, till bad led to worse, and she twitted me with
-my Poverty, and I told her I could be a richer Man in twenty-four Hours
-than her Father, and look down upon them all, and she dared me to it,
-and said a better Man than me was waiting for her, and so—Temptation to
-be revenged on her came in my Way, and—I’ve married Mistress _Glossop_!”
-
-“Oh, _Mark_!”
-
-—“Nay, _Cherry_, don’t give way so,” said he, beginning to shed Tears
-himself when he saw me weeping bitterly,—“Love is not a Man’s whole
-Life, and what I’ve tasted of it hasn’t made me very happy. I’ve stepped
-into a famous Business, and I shall have a quiet Fireside, and a capital
-Table, and kind Looks if not pretty ones, and—a done Thing can’t be
-undone: so there’s an End on’t!”
-
-Then, fancying he heard my Father’s Step, though ’twas only Master
-_Blower’s_, he hastily exclaimed, “You must tell my Uncle—Good-bye,
-_Cherry_!” and hurried out of the House.
-
-When he was gone, I sat in a Kind of Stupor.... _Married?_ and to such a
-Wife!—How _could_ he?—how could _she_? ... and this increased my
-Amazement, for he had been beside himself with Anger and Jealousy, and
-hardly knew what he was doing,—but that she, cool, collected, and at her
-Time of Life, could have closed with his Proposals without the Delay of
-a single Day!—how disgusting!—Ah, she was afraid of losing him!
-
-—Immersed in these sad Thoughts, with my Hands clasped on my Lap, I was
-unaware of my Father’s Return till he stood before me. I started.
-
-“Has _Mark_ returned?” cried he.
-
-“He came back, and is again gone,” said I.
-
-“The young Rascal!” exclaimed my Father very passionately; “what does he
-mean by this outrageous Conduct? I’ve a great Mind to lock the Door
-against him when he comes back!”
-
-“_Father_, he will never come back!—He is married! ... married to
-Mistress _Glossop_.”
-
-And, trying to speak composedly, all would not do; the Tears rained from
-my Eyes.
-
-My Father remained perfectly mute. I could understand his Amazement, his
-Vexation, by my own; accompanied, as I knew it must be in his Case, by
-great Anger. I expected every Moment to hear some violent Expression of
-Indignation: he had been so unusually displeased with him already for
-what was comparatively a Trifle.
-
-All at once, I found myself folded in his Arms. He did not say a Word;
-but the longer he held me, the more and more I felt that his Hopes for
-me had been ruined as well as mine, that his Schemes and Visions of the
-Future were all dispersed and overclouded, that he knew Something of
-what was passing within me, and felt Sympathy without having the Power
-of expressing it.
-
-“Well,—” said he, releasing me at last,—and I saw that his Eyes were
-wet,—“Man proposes, but GOD disposes. We’ve had an Escape from this
-young Man. Ungrateful young Fellow! And blind to his own Interest, too,
-for I could have done better for him, _Cherry_, than he knows of. But—he
-deserves his Fate. A miserable one it will be! He’ll never prosper!”
-
-“Oh, _Father!_ don’t prophesy against him! We need not wish him ill.”
-
-“I don’t wish him ill,” returned he, “but he’ll come to no Good. He has
-done for himself in this Marriage. And so, _Cherry_, you’ll see!”
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER V
-
-                          _A Shadow on the House_
-
-
-OH! how dreary now seemed the House! Its Light and its Life were gone. The
-unseen Presence of Love no longer gladdened it, and the Shadow of Death
-was slowly creeping on.
-
-_Violet_ came to pour out her Wretchedness and her Self-reproaches to me
-as soon as she heard what had happened. She declared she could never be
-happy again—she could never cease thinking of him. I told her it would
-be very wicked of her now, to think of him in the Way she meant, any
-more. For saying which, I suppose she was offended at me; for she did
-not come near me again for a good While.
-
-I don’t suppose Tears are often shed over thick Slices of Bride-cake,
-with Sugar and Almonds an Inch deep, such as _Violet_ and I received
-(tied up with such vulgar white Satin Knots!) from Mistress _Glossop_,
-now, alas! Mistress _Blenkinsop_. When I took it up to my Mother, she
-turned away her Head, and said with her gentle Smile, “You may give my
-Share to _Dolly_,—perhaps she will like it to dream upon.”
-
-I said, “I don’t believe _Dolly_ will touch it;” however, there I was
-mistaken. She said, “Law, Mistress _Cherry_, I’m sure Mistress is very
-good.... I grudge the eating of it, too; for ’tis an unseemly Match, I
-calls it; but, there,—one don’t get such Cake as this every Day!”
-
-When I repeated this Saying to my Mother, she said, “She belongs to the
-_Glossop_ School, _Cherry_, that _never can forbear_.”
-
-Mistress _Blenkinsop_ would have been glad, I fancy, to show off her
-young Husband on the _Bridge_; but she received no Encouragement; and as
-for _Mark_, who had certainly intended to pique _Violet_, he was now as
-wretched as herself, to judge from his Looks, as reported to us by one
-or two who had seen Something of what was going on. Happy or unhappy, he
-never came near us, on Business or Pleasure; and as my Father dropped
-the Connexion, which was more to his Loss than Mistress _Blenkinsop’s_,
-we now saw Nothing of one another. For I scarce went out at all; but now
-and then Mistress _Benskin_ would let fall how she had met the
-_Blenkinsops_ going to such and such a Place of Public Resort; he
-looking ashamed and tired of his Companion; and she as fine as the
-Rainbow. For she would not only see _Funamble Turk_, and pay her
-Shilling to ride round _Hyde Park_, but intrude herself among the
-Quality in _Mulberry Garden_, I warrant her!
-
-About this Time Master _Armytage_ died. Thereby his Family sustained
-great Loss, not only of a kind Husband and Father, but of worldly Goods;
-for the Widow only got a Third of the Worth of the Business, and the
-Son, who was married and not very friendly with her, choosing to live on
-the Premises and carry on the Concern, she and her Daughters presently
-went into an exceeding small House in the _Borough_, where they opened a
-little Shop that did not answer very well. After a While, _Violet_,
-unused to such scant Living, was glad to come back as Shopwoman to her
-Brother, whose Wife had no Turn for Business; but it went sore against
-her to be Second in the House where she had hitherto been always treated
-like First; and also it was a Grievance to her to live among a Family of
-young Children. These Trials fretted her till they impaired her Beauty,
-making her grow peevish and thin.
-
-Meantime, her younger Sister took Plain-work when she could get it; and
-the _Benskins_ and _Hugh Braidfoot_ supplied her with what they could,
-which she accepted gratefully; though, in her Father’s Life-time, it
-would have quite affronted Mistress _Armytage_ that her Girls should set
-a Stitch for either of them. But Times were altered now; she was unable
-even to keep a Servant; and, one Day, when I looked in upon her, I
-noticed so many little Symptoms of Poverty, that, on repeating them to
-my Mother, she made me put up a Variety of little Presents for her, and
-take them to her with her old Neighbour’s Love.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-When I reached her House, I found her on her Knees, scouring the
-Door-step with such Zeal and Noise, that I could not at first make her
-hear my Voice, or become sensible of my Presence. When she did, she did
-not appear particularly glad to see me, but pulled her Pail out of my
-Way, and said, “Oh!—You’ll find _Kitty_ within—_Kitty! Kitty!_”
-
-And just within the Door, sure enough, was _Kitty_ standing with her
-Back to me, before Master _Braidfoot_, who was seated, with a fringed
-Glove in his Hand, and holding forth to her very earnestly. He had sent
-her a Box of Gloves to fringe, and I suppose she had not trimmed them to
-his Mind, for she was hanging her Head, and looking very uncomfortable.
-As soon as he saw me, he brought his Discourse to a Finish by saying,
-“Of which, more anon;” and nodding a Good-bye to me, stepped over
-Mistress _Armytage’s_ Pail, and walked off. Mistress _Armytage_ now came
-in, taking off her Apron in a great Bustle; and seemingly much more glad
-to see me than she had been just before. And she received my Mother’s
-Presents in mighty good Part, especially the Brandy-cherries, which had
-been put in quite as an After-thought, saying they would make a pretty
-little Dish for Supper. I thought she and _Kitty_ had been more in the
-Way of Bread-and-Cheese Suppers now, but made no Comment. Some People
-would as soon die as not try to be thought genteel.
-
-When I had nearly reached Home, I saw _Mark_ coming along the Bridge, in
-a hesitating, reluctant Sort of Way. When he saw me, he stepped out more
-briskly, and came up, holding out his Hand.
-
-“_Cherry_,” said he, lowering his Voice, “my old Lady and I had almost a
-Tiff this Morning, because she wanted you and my Uncle to come and eat
-some of the first green Peas of the Season with us, and I told her I did
-not think you would. But, will you?”
-
-“Thank you kindly,” said I, “but my Mother is so ill, we have no Heart
-to go anywhere now.”
-
-“I knew it was so,” said he, looking relieved; “but you will not think
-me unfeeling, I hope, for putting the Question?”
-
-“Oh no, I think it very kind of you,” said I; “I take it as I know it
-was meant. Won’t you come in? We have seen nothing of you for a long
-Time.”
-
-“Thank you, not just now,” said he; “good-bye.” And walked off as if he
-were in a great Hurry.
-
-When I returned to my dear Mother, she said, “_Cherry_, I’m sure you
-will be amused when I tell you what I have been dreaming about,—I
-dreamed you were married!”
-
-I said, “Dear Mother, if you take to dreaming, and my Father to
-presaging, there’ll be Nothing left to be surprised about!”
-
-“Ah, well,” said she, gently smiling, “but this was a very pretty,
-pleasant Dream—You were married to a Person a good Deal older than
-yourself, but very much to your own Mind, notwithstanding, and were
-living like a Lady, with Everything genteel and comfortable about you.”
-
-I smiled to cover a Sigh; and kissing her thin Hand, said, “May you
-live, dear Mother, to see it.”
-
-“No,” said she, “I know I shall not do that—my Time is growing very
-short now; but yet I shall leave you in Peace, _Cherry_,—I am so certain
-of your doing well. I don’t mean because of this foolish Dream.”
-
-“As for doing well,” said I, “GOD’S Blessing generally rests on the
-Child of many Prayers, ... but if by doing well, you mean marrying well,
-do you think that is the only Way I can be happy?”
-
-“No,” said she, after a Pause, “I do not. I think there is no other
-Happiness equal to it, where the Parties are well assorted, and are good
-to the Core; but much depends upon each other, and much upon themselves;
-so much, that it had often been better for them they had never met.”
-
-“And as so few _are_ good to the Core,” said I, “perhaps the Balance of
-Happiness may not lie on the Side you think.”
-
-“Perhaps not,” said she, “but every one hopes to be the
-Exception.—However,” she added, after another Pause, “these Things are
-not of our ordering; and whatever be the happier Lot, it is certain we
-cannot secure it unless it be appointed us, whether for ourselves or for
-those we dearly love. It may be GOD’S Will that you shall be _Cherry
-Curling_ all your Days, in Spite of my Dream, and in Spite of your being
-fitted for Happiness in another State; but that it is His Purpose to
-make you happy _in yourself_, whatever you are, I feel as sure of as
-that I see you now.”
-
-When I told her what Satisfaction the Brandy-cherries had given, she
-smiled quietly, and said, “The same Woman, still!—You shall take her
-some potted Salmon to-morrow.”
-
-I did so; but did not, this Time, find the Widow cleaning her Door-step.
-She had gone to Market; the Shop was empty, and I walked through it into
-the little Parlour beyond. Here I again came upon _Kitty_ and _Hugh
-Braidfoot_: she was sitting this Time, and he standing, and, the Moment
-she saw me, she snatched away her Hand from him, which he was holding,
-and ran up Stairs. I felt very awkward, and was retreating without a
-Word; but he, turning about upon me with a Sort of homely, manly
-Dignity, a Mixture of Placid and Resolute in his Manner that I never saw
-before, and which became him very well, held out his Hand to me, and
-said, “You see, _Cherry_, how it is to be. There’ll soon be a Wedding in
-this House. The old Lady has meant there should be, all along; but what
-though? Shall a Man that knows his own Mind be stayed from it for Fear
-of playing into a managing Woman’s Hands? Had the Widow been less eager,
-the Thing might have been sooner brought about; however, you and I have
-known her longer than Yesterday—she’s _Kitty’s_ Mother; and enough’s
-said!”
-
-I wished him Joy, and said I thought he and _Kitty_ would be very happy
-together. Then, setting down my Mother’s little Gift on the Table, I
-turned to go away. “What’s that?” said he. “Only a little potted Salmon
-for Mistress _Armytage_,” said I. “I’ll call _Kitty_ down,” said he; and
-going to the Stair-foot, he called “_Kitty! Kitty!_” but she did not
-answer; and giving me a knowing Smile, he said, “I don’t think she’ll
-come down while we are both here.”—“I’m going,” said I; “but here comes
-Mistress _Armytage_ from Market.” “Oh, then, I’m going too!” cried he,
-laughing and catching up his Hat. “I’ve no Mind to break the News to the
-Widow, so come your Ways, _Cherry_, we’ll walk to the _Bridge_ together;
-don’t look behind you.”... “’Tis Pity o’ my Life,” continued he,
-smiling, when we had walked a little Way together, “that respect her I
-cannot; for you see, _Cherry_, a Man can never respect a Woman whom he
-sees trying to draw him in! He may walk into her Trap with his Eyes
-open, and let her save him some Trouble, but respect her or trust her,
-is out of his Power. First, she wanted to have me for _Violet_: that
-would not do—then, _Kitty_ was kept out of Sight till she found I would
-not have the other; but as soon as she found I liked the youngest Sister
-best, poor _Violet_ was put in the Shade, and _Kitty’s_ Turn came. ’Tis
-ill to speak this Way of one’s Mother-in-Law elect; I hope she’ll breed
-no Trouble between us when she’s Mother-in-Law in earnest; I should like
-to pension the old Gentlewoman off, but that can’t well be; so we must
-let her have the Run of the House, and try to make her comfortable as
-long as she lets us be so.”
-
-Then, turning to a more agreeable Subject, he sang _Kitty’s_ Praises;
-and, reaching his own Door, hoped she and I should be good Neighbours.
-“Your Father and you must come to the Wedding-dinner,” said he; “we may
-not have as many good Things as the _Blenkinsops_ had, but I fancy
-’twill be a cheerfuller Dinner.”
-
-When I told my Mother the News, she took it very composedly, but I
-observed her Eyelids give one little, involuntary Movement, that
-betrayed more Surprise than she was willing to show. “Ah, my dear
-Mother,” thought I, “another of your little Castles in the Air for me
-has been thrown down, I fear. This was, no Doubt, the Hero of the Dream,
-who was to make me so comfortable! What a lucky Thing that I care not a
-Rush for him!” However, we never said a Word to one another on the
-Subject.
-
-So the Wedding took place, and my Father and I were at the Dinner, which
-consisted of every Nicety that Money could procure; for Mistress
-_Armytage_ said that _Hugh Braidfoot_ should have all his favourite
-Dishes, and she took Care to have her own, whether they corresponded or
-not. So there was roast Pig and pickled Salmon, Calf’s Head and green
-Goose, Lobster Salad and Marrow-bones, and more Sweets than I ever saw
-out of a Pastry-cook’s Shop. As some Things were in Season and others
-were not, the latter, though sweet in the Mouth, were bitter in
-Digestion; I mean, to Master _Braidfoot_ when he came to pay the Bills.
-And then Mistress _Armytage_, ashamed of having exceeded becoming
-Limits, went about to several of the Tradesmen, who were _Hugh
-Braidfoot’s_ personal Friends, and who already were displeased enough at
-not having been invited to the Feast; and she incensed them the more by
-trying to get them to lower their Bills, which they thought and called
-excessive mean. Thereby, Mistress _Armytage_ got into bad Odour, and
-_Kitty_ came in for her Share, and shed her first Tears after Marriage
-upon it, which I wish had been her last. However, Master _Braidfoot_
-laughed the Matter off, in a jovial, careless Sort of a Way; and went
-round himself and paid every one in full, and made Friends with them
-with a few merry Sayings; so Peace was restored, that Time.
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER VI
-
-                                 _Metanoia_
-
-
-WHEN I see what a little Way the Solemnisation of Matrimony in the Common
-Prayer Book lies from the Burial-service for the Dead, (only separated
-by the Order for the Visitation of the Sick,) it makes me think how
-sometimes in actual Life Marriages and Funerals seem to tread upon the
-Heels of one another. Scarce were the Bills for Master _Braidfoot’s_
-Wedding-dinner paid, when my dear Mother, who had been fast but gently
-sinking, departed this Life without a Sigh. I had left her much as usual
-the Night before; but in the Morning was aware of a grey Shadow over her
-Face, unlike Anything I had yet seen, and impossible to describe, that
-made me sensible of the Presence of Death. My Father supported her in
-his Arms, Master _Blower_ prayed aloud beside her, I bathed her Face
-with Vinegar, and _Dolly_ ran for the Doctor; but just as he crossed our
-Threshold, she gently breathed her last.
-
-How empty the House seemed! For, though a Person may take no active Part
-in its Business, yet a Sense of their _Nearness_ is accompanied by a
-constant Feeling of Companionship, such as I think we might feel with
-regard to our HEAVENLY FATHER if we would look into the Fact of His
-being constantly about us a little more narrowly. Excellent Master
-_Blower_ was a Tower of Strength to us under this Bereavement; knowing
-how to comfort a Man better than I could, and possessed of more Calmness
-and Composedness than I could be expected to have, though he said his
-Heart bled for us all the while. But he set before us the Blessedness of
-my Mother in her glorified State so strongly, that it was impossible not
-to feel that our Loss was her Gain.
-
-While the House was yet darkened, I heard a hushed Voice that had become
-strange to my Ears of late, saying to my Father in the next Room, “I am
-sure, Uncle, if you would look upon it as a Mark of Respect.” ... And my
-Father, in Tears, made Answer to him, “I should, _Mark_, I should! I
-shall be glad for you to accompany us to the Grave; for, indeed, my Boy,
-she was very kindly affectioned towards you.”
-
-And then cried again; and, I think, _Mark_ cried too. It was Balm to my
-Heart to think he was going to the Funeral. An ill-advised Deed had in
-the first Instance banished him from us, and, in Time, he had not only
-become reconciled to his Banishment, but, from what I made out of the
-Report of others, had learnt to rejoice in it. The first Signal of a
-better Frame was his _returning_ to us, which cost him an Effort, and
-then _repaid itself_. Master _Blower_ called it _Metanoia_, whatever
-that meant.
-
-_Violet_ was very kind to me. All her old Affection for me now returned;
-and she would bring her Work and sit with me for Hours. Also the
-_Benskins_ and _Braidfoots_ were kind in their Way, though after a
-homely Fashion. But one that better understood comforting was nearer at
-Hand. One Evening, I heard Master _Blower_, as he met my Father on the
-Stairs, say, “Why, old Friend, we have lived many a Year under the same
-Roof, and have never broken Bread together yet! Bring _Cherry_ with you,
-and sup with me to-night!”
-
-My disconsolate Father, being taken by Surprise, had no Power to refuse
-the Honour; _Dolly_ was sent for a Crab, and we spent a very peaceful
-and pleasant Evening together, not ended without Prayer. As we left, the
-kind Man said, “Well, Friend, since you won’t ask me, I’ll ask myself to
-sup to-morrow Night with _you_.” And so he did; and many a rich and
-learned Man might have envied us the discreet and pleasant Guest that
-honoured our poor Table. From that Time, we thus spent two Evenings
-together every Week.
-
-By this Time my Friend _Kitty_ had taken upon her all the Importance of
-a well-to-do Tradesman’s Wife, which fitted her as well as one of her
-Husband’s best Pair of Gloves. Instead of Stuff and Dimity, flowered
-Chintz and even Silk was now the Wear! looped well up, too, to shew the
-grass-green quilted Petticoat and clocked Stockings. Nothing, Master
-_Braidfoot_ thought, was too good for her. And instead of its being
-“good Husband,” “honoured Master _Braidfoot_,” so bashfully spoken, as
-at first, now it was “dear _Hugh_,” “sweet _Hugh_,” or “_Hugh_” by
-itself alone. And happy, without a Cloud, would the Lives of this worthy
-Couple have been but for the Hinderances of Mistress _Armytage_. Now it
-was her Parsimony in Something her Son-in-Law could well afford and
-desired to have; now her Expensiveness in Something for which she dared
-not give him the Bill; and then he would find it out, and rate her, half
-in Sport, and then she would take Offence in right Earnest. Then _Kitty_
-would cry, and then her Mother would say she knew she was only in the
-Way, and would go off for a While to her old Quarters. When she got
-there, her Tongue lay not still, like a good House-dog in its Kennel,
-but must needs yap, yap, like a little Terrier, that flies at every
-Comer; and, to every Neighbour along the _Borough_ it was, “Oh, you know
-not what a _Turk_...!”—“My poor, poor Daughter!”—“Temper of an
-Angel!”—“Will wear her out at last!”—“Never know a Man before he’s
-married!”—“Peace and Poverty for my Money” ... and such-like.
-
-Meanwhile, _Hugh_ and _Kitty_ were as merry as Crickets in their own
-Chimney-corner, little guessing or caring what an ill Report of their
-Fireside was spreading all along _Southwark_: and if _Hugh_ met e’er a
-Neighbour’s Wife that gave him a dark Look, as much as to say, “Ah! for
-all your blythe Face, I know what I know!” all he did was to cry,
-“Neighbour, how do you do?” in a jovial Voice that rang along the
-Street. Thus the Husband and Wife would go on, mighty comfortable by
-themselves, till some favourite Dish, perhaps, of Mistress _Armytage’s_
-would be set on Table, and _Kitty_, with a Tear in her Eye, would say,
-“Poor, dear Mother is so fond of a roast Pig.” “Set it down before the
-Fire again, then,” says _Hugh_, “while I run and fetch the old
-Gentlewoman.... I’ll be back in five Minutes.”—And, in about a Quarter
-of an Hour, sure enough, he would return with the Widow on his Arm, and
-there would be a little kissing and crying, and then all would sit down
-in high Good-humour with one another, and Things would go on quietly
-till _Hugh_ and his Mother-in-Law quarrelled again.
-
-About this Time, dear, good Master _Blower_, who had hitherto led a
-removed Life among us, hidden and yet known, ministering and being
-ministered unto by many of his old Flock on the Sly, did by some
-Indiscretion or Misadventure provoke the Notice of the Powers then
-riding paramount, and, coming Home to us in great Perturbation one Day,
-told us he must at once take Ship to _Holland_ in a Vessel going down
-the River the next Morning. This was greatly to the Sorrow of my Father
-and myself; and some Tears of mine fell on his little Packet of clean
-Linen as I made it up for him; and I thought it no Wrong to slip into
-the easy Slippers I knew he would not fail to take out at the Journey’s
-End, a little Purse with seven Gold _Caroluses_ in it, that I had long
-been hoarding for some good Use. The Wind was light, but yet fair: there
-was a Remedy against Sea-sickness in my Father’s Shop-window that I had
-not much Faith in, it had lain so long in the Sun, even supposing there
-ever were any Virtue in it; however, I thought there could be no Harm in
-just sewing it in the Lining of his Coat, according to the Directions
-printed ... at least, so I thought at the Time, but afterwards I
-observed I had made a Mistake, but it did no Harm, if no Good. And
-Father gave him a Bottle of _Cognac_ Brandy, which really _had_ some
-Virtue in it, so we did for him what we could, one Way or another. And
-he packed up what few Papers he could carry, and burned others, and
-locked up the rest, leaving them and his Books in my Charge, with his
-Blessing. And so the good Man went.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Often afterwards, when I was setting his Rooms in Order, and dusting his
-Books, I would stand, with my Duster in my Hand, looking at the Table at
-which he used to write, and the old Arm-chair in which he used to sit,
-and fall into a Kind of Muse, till I almost seemed to see his large,
-quiet, brown Eyes, that were set so far under the Shadow of his Brows,
-and seemed lighted up, somehow, from within, looking up at me, and his
-pleasant Face smiling at me, (he had a very sweet Smile, had Master
-_Blower_,) and his pleasant Voice saying, “Well, _Cherry_, is it
-Eating-time again, already?”
-
-Now and then I would open one or other of his Books, and, if I chanced
-upon Anything I understood and that interested me, would stand reading
-on and on, till I was startled by hearing my Father call for me. At
-length, he knew where to look for me; and took to laughing at me for
-taking such a Turn for Study; but one Day he fell to reading one of
-Master _Blower’s_ Books himself, and liked it so well, that, we being
-but quiet Companions for one another, now there was so little to say, we
-spent many an Hour, sitting over-against each other, each with our Book.
-
-One Day, as I sat sewing in the Parlour, and my Father was cutting a
-Man’s Hair, I heard his Customer say, “My _Lord Protector’s_ very ill,
-and like to die.”
-
-“Don’t believe it,” said my Father; “_he’ll_ never die in his Bed.”
-Which, for once, was a Presage that did not come true.
-
-“Well, he seems to think so too,” said the other; “at all Events he’s
-having Thanks put up for his Recovery, while yet he’s as bad as can be;
-which looks premature.”
-
-“That’s the Faith of _Assurance_, I call it,” said my Father dryly.
-“Well, now, what may be the Matter with his Grace?—a Pain in his Heart,
-or his Head, or what?”
-
-“A tertian Fever, they say,” returned his Companion; “you know his
-favourite Daughter died scarce a Month back, and, in her last Moments,
-she told him many a Thing that no one had had Courage to tell him
-before, and expostulated with him on his Ways, and charged him with
-slaying the LORD’S Anointed; which, ’tis thought, he took so much to
-Heart as that his troubled Mind invited if it did not occasion this
-Illness.”
-
-“Well,” said my Father, “I’d rather be the dead King than the dying
-Protector. What has become now of all his Trust in the LORD, and inward
-Assurance? Does the Grandeur he has earned with so much Guilt, smooth
-his sick Pillow? Is the death he so boldly confronted on the Battlefield
-quite so easy to face, now he lies quiet and watchful all Night, with
-his Silk Curtains drawn about him? Does he feel as secure of being one
-of the Elect, unable to fall into final Reprobation, as when he was
-fighting his Way up to a dead Man’s Chair? Ah, Sir, we may ask one
-another these Questions, but our own Hearts must give their only
-Answer.”
-
-In Fact, _Oliver Cromwell_ presently breathed his last, amidst a Tempest
-of Wind and Rain, that seemed a Type of his own tempestuous Character.
-And in his Place was set up one that did not fill it: his quiet and
-peaceable Son, _Richard_, who had gone on his Knees to his Father to
-pray that the _King’s_ Head might not be cut off. He was gentle,
-generous, and humane; but those were no Recommendations in the Eyes of
-the Army or Parliament, so he was presently set aside. Whereon ensued
-such Squabblings and Heart-burnings, I was glad I was not a Man.
-
-One Day, _Mark_ came in, all flushed and eager, looking like his old
-self; and “Uncle!” says he, “there’s a brave Time coming again for
-Hairdressers! It’s my Fancy, Wigs will presently be in, (for Cavalier
-Curls won’t grow in a Night!) and then you’ll have a Market for that Lot
-of Hair that you and I put so carefully aside.”
-
-“How so, _Mark_?” says my Father.
-
-“Why,” says _Mark_, “_honest George Monk_, as the Soldiers call him, is
-marching up to _London_, and you have always said he was a Royalist in
-his Heart.”
-
-“Heaven defend us from Siege and civil War,” says Father; “we’ve had too
-much of them already. Better one Master than many, even such a Master as
-old _Noll_; and if General _Monk_ is coming up to seat himself in his
-Place, ’twill be better for us than these City Tumults, wherein a Parcel
-of young ’Prentices that deserve a good Threshing, get together and
-clamour for Things they know not, till grown Men are forced to put them
-down with a strong Hand. _Where there’s Order, there’s Liberty_; and
-Nowhere else.”
-
-_Mark’s_ News proved true; the disaffected Regiments were sent out of
-_London_, and General _Monk_ with his Army entered _Westminster_. He was
-a right-judging as well as right-meaning Man, on the whole, to my Mind,
-prudent and moderate, though he sided first with one Party, then with
-the other, then back to the first again. One of the evil Consequences of
-our evil Times was, so many conscientious Men were set down for
-obstinate and pig-headed, or else Turn-coats. My Father, to represent
-the Humour of the Time, had removed the obnoxious Cavalier and Puritan
-from his Window, and set up in their stead a Head that united half of
-both, which, revolving slowly when he pulled a String, shewed now one
-Side, now the other, and, as he observed, never looked so bad as when
-you saw a little of both. But as soon as _Monk_, throwing off his late
-Shew of Moderation, marched into the City, removed the Posts and Chains
-across the Streets, seized on obnoxious Persons, and broke down our
-Gates and Portcullises, my Father became sure that a great Change was at
-Hand, and the _King_ would enjoy his own again. Whereon, he commenced
-beautifying and renewing the waxen Cavalier, which had got a little
-fly-spitten, and privately smuggled into the House a most beautiful
-female Counterpart for it, extremely like _Queen Henrietta Maria_, whom
-I immediately set about dressing in the favourite Style of her Majesty,
-that is to say, in a rich velvet Boddice, with a falling Collar of
-Cutwork, Vandyked at the Edge, relieved by a blue Breast-knot. My Father
-dressed her Hair in long, drooping, dark Curls, with a few pearl Pins;
-and, abiding the right Time with Calmness and Confidence, shut up the
-comely Pair in a dark Closet till the happy Moment for their bursting
-upon the World should arrive.
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER VII
-
-                             _Signs in the Air_
-
-
-AND now the glorious Restoration at length arrived, and ’tis incredible what
-a Spur it was to Trade, and how the Mercers and Drapers could hardly
-supply their Customers fast enough with expensive Goods; and how the
-Tailors and Sempstresses worked all Night, and Hairdressers sold their
-Ellwigs, and Hatters their Hats, and Horse-dealers their Horses good and
-bad. For every one was for pouring out of _London_, across our Bridge,
-at least as far as _Blackheath_. Oh! what a busy, what a joyous Sight it
-was! All the Streets from the _Bridge_ to _Whitehall_ were hung with
-Tapestry, and the Windows filled with Ladies. The _Lord Mayor’s_ Cooks
-set up a gay Tent in _St. George’s_ Fields, to prepare a Refection for
-his Majesty. The Livery Companies in their various rich Dresses of
-Crimson, Violet, Purple, and Scarlet, lined the Streets on one Side, and
-the Trained Bands on the other: Bursts of gay Music were intermingled
-with Cheers and Laughter; Everybody seemed in tip-top Spirits that the
-_King_ was coming. We let our Windows for a good Premium to some of the
-Grandees; but had a good View ourselves of what was going on, from the
-Leads—now there would come along a Troop of two or three Hundred or
-more, in Cloth of Silver Doublets; then four or five Times as many in
-Velvet Coats, with Attendants in Purple; then another Party in Buff
-Coats with Cloth of Silver Sleeves and green Scarfs, others in pale Blue
-and Silver, others in Scarlet: by and by, six Hundred of the Livery on
-Horseback, in black Velvet with Gold Chains, then the Trumpeters, Waits,
-City Officers, Sheriffs, and _Lord Mayor_ ... in short, there was no End
-to the Splendour and Glory of that Day; for we had hardly rested
-ourselves after seeing them all go forth, when they began to come back,
-with the _King_ in the midst. Oh! what Shouts! what Cheers! what Bursts
-of Music! And he, bowing this Side and that, so smiling and gracious!
-“It seemed,” he said, “as if it must have been his own Fault he came not
-sooner back, Everyone appeared so glad to see him!”
-
-[Illustration]
-
-But the Ladies’ Dresses!—Oh, how grieved I was!—Sure, they were resolved
-to make up for the Dulness and Decorum they had been restricted to
-during the Protectorate; for, indeed, they seemed to think Decorum and
-Dulness went together, and should now be thrown overboard in Company.
-The _Henrietta Maria_ Dress I had so complacently made up for our Wax
-Doll, was now twenty Years behind the Fashion! fit only to laugh at!—and
-what had taken its Place, I thought fit only to blush at.
-
-For a Moment, when the Party that had hired our first-floor Window had
-thrown off their Clokes, I felt a dreadful Presentiment that their
-Characters could not be over-good; or else, thought I, they never could
-dress in such a Manner. Only, knowing who they were, I thought again,
-_that_ can never be—dear Heart! what can they be thinking of? we shall
-have Stones and Mud thrown up at the Window. “Sure, Madam,” said I to
-the youngest and prettiest, “you will catch Cold at the open Window ...
-the Wind blows in very fresh from the River—will you just have this
-Scarf a little over your Shoulders?” “No, thank you,” says she, shaking
-back quite a Bush of fair Hair, and looking up at me with her Eyes half
-shut, as if she were sleepy already. “Forsooth,” thought I, “those Curls
-are equal to a Fur Tippet”—And, looking across at our Neighbours’
-Windows, I saw we need not fear pelting, for that all the other Ladies
-were dressed just the same. Then thought I, Oh, this is the
-_Restoration_, is it? If you, fair Ladies, provoke ill Thoughts of you,
-you must not feel aggrieved if People think not of you very well.
-
-I disliked this Symptom of the Restoration from the very first—not that
-it had, naturally, any Connexion with it.—The _King_ had lived long
-abroad, had become fond of foreign Fashions; but were the modest Ladies
-of _England_, therefore, to give in to them? Then, what the upper
-Classes affect, the lower Classes soon ape: I knew we should presently
-have Mistress _Blenkinsop_ and _Violet_ trying which could wear the
-longest Curls and shortest Petticoats, and look the most languishing.
-The only Difference would be, that the one would become the Fashion, and
-the other make it ridiculous. Perhaps, thought I, I am growing prudish
-and old-maidish, I am Eight and Twenty; but so is _Violet_.
-
-I have often thought, that if the Ladies of _England_ had at this Time
-been what they ought, a good Deal of Folly and Sin that presently
-stained this Reign would never have happened. What! could the merry
-Glance and free Word of a light young Monarch break down Barriers that
-were not tottering already? What had Mothers and Teachers been about?
-Where were the Lady _Fanshawes_ and _Lucy Hutchinsons_? There must have
-been Something wrong in the Bringing-up—I can never believe all these
-fair young Ladies were so good one Day and so bad the next.
-
-But the joyfullest Event, to ourselves, on that glorious Twenty-ninth of
-_May_, was the Restoration to his Country and Home of our excellent
-Friend and Lodger, Master _Blower_. He seemed to be rejuvenized by the
-general Spirit of Hilariousness; for I protest it seemed as though ten
-Years were taken off his Shoulders. And he talked of being soon replaced
-in his Curacy; but, instead of that, his Friends presently got him a
-Living in the City, which took him away from us, as there was a
-Parsonage House. But we went to his Church on _Sundays_; and, as he was
-not one of those who forget old Friends or humble ones, he would make my
-Father and me sup with him about once a Quarter, and come to us of his
-own Accord about as often, and talk over the Times, which in some
-Respects, as far as Sabbath-keeping and general Morality went, we could
-not say were bettered.
-
-And now a shocking Sight was to be seen at the _Bridge_ Gate,—the Heads,
-namely, of those Traitors who brought about the Death of the late King,
-and who richly deserved their bad End. There they have remained for many
-a Year, a Terror to all Evil-doers.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  And now a shocking sight was to be seen at the Bridge Gate
-]
-
-It was in the Spring following the Restoration, in the Month of _March_,
-that we and the _Braidfoots_ were taking our Supper together on the
-Leads, the Weather being very warm for the Season, when our Attention
-was attracted by the uncommon Appearance of the Clouds, which, as will
-often be the Case after much Rain, were exceeding gorgeous and
-grotesque. Master _Braidfoot_ was the first of us who noticed them, and
-cried, “See, see, Neighbours! Cannot you now credit how Lovers of the
-Marvellous have oft-times set Tales afloat of Armies seen fighting in
-the Air? Do not those two Battalions of Clouds, impelled by opposite
-Currents, look like two great Armies with Spears and Banners, about to
-encounter each other? Now they meet, now they fall together, now one
-vanishes away! Now, they both are gone!”
-
-“And see, dear _Hugh_,” cries _Kitty_, “there’s another that looks like
-a Cathedral; and another like an exceeding big Mountain, with a Rent in
-its Side; and out of the Rent comes Something that looks like a
-Crocodile, with its Jaws wide open; no! now it is liker to a Bull, or
-rather to a Lion.”
-
-“Very like a Whale!” said a Man, as if to himself, on the Top of the
-next House. It was Master _Benskin’s_ Lodger, who wrote for the
-Booksellers.
-
-_Kitty_ started, and lowered her Voice; for we were not on speaking
-Terms with him; however, she squeezed my Arm and said softly, “It really
-_is_ becoming Something like a Whale now, though!” On which, Master
-_Braidfoot_ burst into one of his ringing Laughs, and cried, “Why,
-_Kitty_, you give it as many Faces as the Moon! What will you fancy it
-next?”
-
-“I wonder what it means,” says she, very gravely.
-
-“Means?” said her Husband, still laughing; “why, it means we shall have
-some more wet Weather. So we’ll put off our Pleasure Party. See what a
-red Flame the setting Sun casts all along the City!”
-
-About a Week after this, our Neighbour, Master _Benskin_, gave my Father
-a little Pamphlet of four Leaves, writ by his Lodger; the Title of which
-was truly tremendous. It was this,—
-
-    “_Strange News from the West! being a true and perfect Account
-    of several Miraculous Sights seen in the Air westward, on
-    Thursday last, by divers Persons of Credit, standing on London
-    Bridge between Seven and Eight of the Clock. Two great Armies
-    marching forth of two Clouds, and encountering each other; but,
-    after a sharp Dispute, they suddenly vanished. Also, some
-    remarkable Sights that were seen to issue forth of a Cloud that
-    seemed like a Mountain, in the Shapes of a Bull, a Bear, a Lyon,
-    and an Elephant with a Castle on his Back; and the Manner how
-    they all vanished._”
-
-“Well,” said my Father, turning the Leaf, “is it dedicated to Mistress
-_Braidfoot_? Here seems to be much Ado about Nothing, I think.”
-
-“Nothing or Something,” said Master _Benskin_, laughing, and jingling
-his Pockets, “it has enabled my Lodger to pay up seven Weeks’ Arrears;
-so it’s an ill Wind that blows Nobody any Good. The Trifle has had a
-Run, Sir!”
-
-“So this is the Way Books are made, and Stories are vamped up,” said my
-Father. “Truly, it makes one serious.”
-
-But, a little Time after, a Rumour was repeated in the Shop that did
-indeed make one serious, to wit, that the Plague was in _Holland_, and
-would very likely come across to us. However, though the following Year
-it did indeed rage very badly in _Amsterdam_ and _Rotterdam_, yet it
-crossed not the Water for another twelve Months or more; and as we had
-no such Things as printed Newspapers in those Days, such as I have lived
-to see since, Reports did not instantly spread over the whole Nation as
-they do now.
-
-Howbeit, at the latter End of _November_, 1664, there really were two
-Cases of Plague in _Long Acre_, which frightened People a good deal. A
-third Man afterwards died of the same Distemper in the same House, which
-kept alive our Uneasiness; but after that, nothing was heard of it for
-six Weeks or more, when it broke out beyond Concealment.
-
-At this Time, Master _Benskin’s_ Shop-window was full of small Books
-with awakening Titles, such as “_Britain’s_ Remembrancer,”—“Come out of
-her, my People,”—“Give Ear, ye careless Daughters,” and such-like, many
-of them emanating from the Pen of his Lodger in the Attick; and with
-these and _Lilly’s_ Almanacks, he drove a thriving Trade.
-
-_Violet_ was sitting with me one Morning, when _Mark_ suddenly entered,
-and seeing her with me, lost his Presence of Mind directly, and forgot
-what he had to say. She on her Part, being just then in Mourning for one
-of her Brother’s Children, for whom I am bold to say she had scarce shed
-a Tear, (he being a humoursome Child, particularly disagreeable to her,)
-fetches a deep Sigh, and with a pretty, pensive Air takes up her Work,
-rises, mutely curtsies to him, and retires. On which he, after a
-Minute’s Silence, says sadly, “_Violet_ is as beautiful, I see, as
-ever,”—and I was grieved to find he still thought so much about her.
-
-Just then, my Father enters; and _Mark_, of a sudden recollecting his
-Business, exclaimed, “Oh, Uncle, here is a capital Opening for you. ’Tis
-an ill Wind, sure enough, that blows nobody any Good,—I don’t know why
-you should not do a good Turn of Business as well as ourselves by being
-Agent for the Sale of these patent Nostrums” ... and thereon pulled out
-a Parcel of Bills, headed “Infallible Preventive-pills against the
-Plague.” ... “Never-failing Preservatives against Infection.” ...
-“Sovereign Cordials against the Corruption of the Air.” ... “The Royal
-Antidote—” and so forth.
-
-—“No, Boy, no,” said my Father, putting them by, one after another, as
-he looked over them, “Time was when I should have thought it as innocent
-to laugh in my Sleeve at other People’s Credulity and turn a Penny by
-their Delusions as yourself, and many others that are counted honest
-Men; but I’m older and sadder now. To the best of my Belief, every and
-all of these Remedies are Counterfeits, that will not only rob People of
-their Money, but peradventure of their Lives, by inducing them to trust
-in what they have bought instead of going to the Expense of proper
-Medicines. A solemn Time is coming; my own Time may be short; and
-whether I be taken or whether I be left, GOD forbid I should carry a Lie
-in my right Hand, or set it in my Shop-window.”
-
-A Customer here summoned him away; and _Mark_, instead of departing, sat
-down beside me and said, “What think you, _Cherry_, of this approaching
-Visitation? Are you very much affrighted?”
-
-“Awe-stricken, rather,” I made Answer; “I only fear for myself along
-with the rest, and I fear most for my Father, who will be more exposed
-to it than I shall; but I feel I can leave the Matter in GOD’S Hand.”
-
-“I wish I could,” said poor _Mark_, sighing. “I own to you, _Cherry_, I
-am horribly dismayed. I have a Presentiment that I shall not escape. My
-_Wife_,” continued he, with great Bitterness in his Tone ... he commonly
-spoke of her with assumed Recklessness as “his old Lady” ... “my Wife
-has no Sense of the Danger—mocks at it, defies it; refuses to leave her
-House and her Business, come what may, and tells me with a Scoff I shall
-frighten myself to Death, and that _Ralph Denzel_ shall be her
-Third.—Don’t you hate, _Cherry_, to hear Husbands and Wives, even in
-Sport, making light of each other’s Deaths?”
-
-Her Grossness was offensive to me, and I said in a low Voice, “I do.”
-
-“And if I die, as die I very likely shall,” pursued he hurriedly, “you
-may do me a Kindness, _Cherry_, by telling _Violet_ that I never——”
-
-This was insupportable to me. “Dear _Mark_,” I cried, “why yield to this
-Notion of Evil which may be its own Fulfilment? GOD watches over all.
-With proper Precaution, and with his Blessing, we may escape. No one
-knows his Hour: the brittle Cup oft lasts the longest.—Many a Casualty
-may cut us off before the Day of general Visitation.”
-
-“Aye,” he replied, with a sickened Look, “but I had a Dream last Night
-... and, just now, as I came through _Bishopgate_ Churchyard, a Crowd of
-People were watching a Ghost among the Tombs, that was signing to Houses
-that should be stricken, and to yet undug Graves.”
-
-“_Watching_ it?” said I. “Did you see it?”
-
-“Well, I rather think I did,” said _Mark_, “but am not quite assured—the
-Press was very great. At any rate, I saw those who evidently _did_ see
-it. My Wife has had her Fortune told, and the Fortune-teller avouched to
-her she should escape; so there’s the Ground of _her_ Comfort. To make
-doubly sure, she wears a Charm. For me, I am neither for Charm nor
-Fortune-telling,—if I die, I die, and what then! I’ve often felt Life
-scarce worth keeping; only one don’t know what comes after!”
-
-And, with a faint Laugh, he rose to go away. I said, “_Mark! Mark!_”
-
-“What is it?” he said, and stopped. I said, “Don’t go away with that
-light Saying in your Mouth——”
-
-He said, “Oh!” and smiling, opened the Door. I said, looking full at
-him, “Faith in GOD is the best Amulet.”
-
-“It is,” he said more gravely; and went out.
-
-Presently my Father came in to Supper; and sat down, while it was making
-ready, near the Window, looking out on the River quite calmly. Our large
-white Cat sat purring beside him. Stroking her kindly, he said, “Pussy,
-you must keep close, or your Days will be few ... they’ve given Orders,
-now, to kill all the Dogs and Cats. I believe, _Cherry_, we are as safe
-here as we should be in the privatest Retreat in the Kingdom, for
-Infection never harbours on the _Bridge_, the Current of Air always
-blows it away, one Way or the other. But, my dear, we may be called away
-at any Hour, and I never Sleep worse of a Night for bearing in Mind I
-may not see another Morning. But I rest all the peacefuller, _Cherry_,
-for knowing you will never be in want, though this poor Business should
-dwindle away to nothing. Master _Benskin_ and _Hugh Braidfoot_ know all
-about my little Hoard, and will manage it well for you, my Daughter. And
-now, let’s see what is under this bright little Cover. Pettitoes, as
-sure as _London Bridge_ is built on Wool-packs!”
-
-And he ate his frugal Meal cheerfully, I thinking in my Mind, as I had
-so often done before, that the firmest Heart is oft found in the
-littlest Body.
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER VIII
-
-                                _The Plague_
-
-
-AS Spring advanced, the Plague came on amain. Houses were shut up, some
-empty, some with infected People in them under Guard, ne’er to be let
-out, save in perfect Health or to be cast into the Dead-cart. Swarms of
-People hurried out of Town, some in Health, some already infected: never
-was such a Blockade of Carts, Coaches, and Horsemen on the _Bridge_; and
-I was told, on the northern and western Roads ’twas still worse. Every
-Horse, good and bad, was in request, at enormous Hire: as soon as they
-had done Duty for one Party, they came back for another, so that the
-poor Things had an ill Time o’t. The Court set the Example of running
-away; the Nobility and Gentry followed it; the Soldiers were all sent to
-Country Quarters, the _Tower_ was left under the Guard of a few
-Beef-eaters, all the Courts of Law were closed, and even the middle and
-lower Ranks that could not well afford to leave their Shops and Houses,
-thought it a good Matter to escape for bare Life, and live about the
-Country in removed Places, camping in the Fields, and under Hedges.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  Houses were shut up, some empty, some
-  with infected people in them
-]
-
-Thus the City, which had previously been so over-filled as to provoke
-the comparing of it with _Jerusalem_ before the last Passover, was in a
-Manner so depopulated, that though vast Numbers remained in its
-By-streets and Lanes, whole Rows of Houses stood empty. Those that
-walked abroad kept the Middle of the Streets for Fear of Infection;
-Grass began to grow between the Paving-stones; the Sound of Wheels was
-scarce heard, for People were afraid of using the Hackney-coaches;
-Beggars, and Street-singers, and Hawkers, had altogether disappeared; so
-that there was nothing to break the awful Stillness save the Shrieks of
-dying Persons in lone Houses, or the Rumbling of the Dead-cart.
-
-Meanwhile, though the Distemper was raging on both Sides of us and all
-about us, it came not on the Bridge. Crowded Assemblages of Buyers and
-Sellers at Markets, &c., being much to be avoided, we laid in as much
-Stock as our small Premises would hold and our small Family require, of
-Soap, Candles, Groceries, Cheese, Bacon, salt Butter, and such-like. And
-whereas the Plague raged worse than Anywhere among the Butchers’ Stalls
-and low Fishmongers, we made a Merit of Necessity, and fasted from both
-Fish and fresh Meat, as well for our Health as our Sins, which, if
-sundry others had done in a proper Frame and Temper, ’tis likely they
-might have been spared.
-
-Thus we kept close and went Abroad little, except to Public Prayers;
-reading and meditating much at Home, and considering, as _Noah_ and his
-Family probably did in the Ark, that if our Confinement were irksome,
-’twas a cheap Price to pay for Safety. Of the _Blenkinsops_ we saw
-nothing after the regular Outburst of the Calamity; but we knew that
-Mistress _Blenkinsop_ was not only resolved not to stir, but that she
-would not so much as lay in Stores for daily Consumption; perversely and
-cruelly persisting in sending her Servants into the Danger, she feared
-not for herself to purchase Pennyworths of Things she might have bought
-wholesale.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  Keeping the Gates.
-]
-
-Meantime, though our _Bridge_, by reason of its being one of the great
-Thoroughfares of _London_, could not well be shut up, yet the
-Bridgewardens took all the Care of us they could, keeping the Gates with
-much Jealousy, and burning large Fires of resinous and strong-smelling
-Substances. Early in the Season, there was one Person who took a mighty
-Panic at her own Danger, which was Mistress _Armytage_. She had left her
-Lodgings, ostensibly to be with _Kitty_ during her Confinement, but in
-Reality, as the Event proved, to be out of the Reach of Infection.
-However, the News of each Day, which she greedily gathered, becoming
-dismaller, and the Crowds of People pouring out of Town exciting her
-Desire to be among them, she wearied _Hugh Braidfoot_ with Entreaties
-that he would promise to go into the Country as soon as _Kitty_ got
-about again; and, one Night, a Coffin leaping into her Lap out of the
-Fire, her Fears for herself could no longer be allayed, but she declared
-she must go the next Morning, come what would. I heard much sobbing and
-loud talking through the Wall overnight; and the next Morning at
-Day-break, saw the Widow departing with a small Bundle in her Hand, and
-a young Lad carrying her heavy Box. However, the End, which was
-impressive, was this. She over-heated herself in her selfish Flight,
-slept in a damp Bed the next Night, and took a Hurt which ended her Life
-before the Year was out, though not by the Plague.
-
-Soon after, _Kitty_ gave Birth to twin Daughters, the sweetest little
-Dears that ever were seen, whom she very prettily insisted on naming
-_Violet_ and _Cherry_. But now, the Plague being more and more talked
-of, and she being unable to nurse both, it became a momentous Question
-with her whether to bring one up by Hand or send it to a Foster-nurse in
-the Country. At length, the latter was decided upon; and little _Violet_
-was put out to nurse at _Lewisham_.
-
-And now the Judgment of GOD fell very heavy on us; insomuch that amid
-the general Visitation and Bereavement, it would have been strange
-indeed if even the unafflicted could have been so unfeeling as to hold
-back from the general Mourning. The Cry from every Pulpit and every
-Altar was, “Spare, O LORD, spare thy People, whom thou hast redeemed
-with thy precious Blood;” and the Churches were open all Day long and
-crowded with Penitents, till it was found that Contagion was thereby
-augmented; whereon all but the bold fell to exchanging public for
-private Devotion.
-
-About this Time, poor _Kitty Braidfoot_ fell into much Danger. She was
-nursing her little _Cherry_ one Morning, and saying to me how her Heart
-yearned for a Sight of its Twin-sister, when, as if in Answer to her
-Wish, in comes the Foster-nurse, looking defiant and heated, with the
-Infant in her Arms, whom without more Ado she sets upon the Table, and
-then retreats to the Door.
-
-“There’s your Babby, Mistress,” says she bluntly, “and you owes me one
-and twenty Shillings for the last six Weeks’ nursing, at Three and
-Sixpence a Week ... it’s taken the Plague, and I can’t have my own Babby
-infected, so I declines the farther Charge of it—’tis a puny little
-Thing, and I doesn’t think would anyhow ha’ lived long.”
-
-“Puny!” cries _Kitty_, with Eyes darting Fire; “why, you’ve starved it
-for the Sake of your own Baby! ’Twas as fine a Child as this, and now a
-downright Skeleton!”
-
-The Woman had an Answer on her Lips, but Something in _Kitty’s_ Eye and
-in her own Heart suddenly abashed her; and with a “Marry come up!” she
-hastily turned about and quitted the House, without so much as asking
-again for her one and twenty Shillings. Poor _Kitty_ exclaimed, “Oh, you
-little Starveling!” and bursting into Tears, put _Cherry_ into my Arms,
-and began to unfasten her own Dress. I said, “Remember, you cannot nurse
-both——” She said, “I must commit the other to you to bring up by Hand
-and keep out of the Infection—I cannot let this little Thing perish,”
-and showered on it Kisses and Tears, quite thoughtless of her own
-Safety.
-
-Just then, _Hugh_ came in, and stood amazed when he saw _Kitty_ fondling
-the famished little Infant. She, thoughtful of him also before herself,
-cried, “Don’t come near me, _Hugh_! Baby has the Plague. I’m thankful
-the Woman brought it Home; GOD forbid a Child of mine should endanger a
-Child of hers!” And pressed her little one yet closer to her, and kissed
-its little, meagre Hands. Poor _Hugh_ stood aghast at the News,
-regarding her from where he first stood with a Mixture of Wonder,
-Admiration, and Fear; at length exclaiming, “GOD be your Blessing,
-_Kitty_!”—he brushed off a Tear and turned away. Again saw I that the
-strongest Heart is not always in the biggest Body. As for _Kitty_, I
-thought she had never looked so beautiful as at that Moment. She was now
-eagerly seeking for some Token of the Disease about her Child, but could
-find none. “What and if ’twere a false alarm?” cries she,—“Heaven grant
-it!—But now, dear _Cherry_, take your little Charge out of Harm’s
-Reach—and bid _Nell_ tend dear _Hugh_ all she can—I’ve Everything I want
-here, and they can set down my Meals at the Door without coming in.”
-
-I looked back at her as I closed the Door, and saw her smiling so over
-her Baby that it really seemed as if she felt she had in it Everything
-she wanted. And when I lay down by my little _Cherry_ at Night, and felt
-its little Mites of Hands straying over my Face, I felt drawn towards it
-with a Love I had never experienced for a Child before, and wondered not
-how _Kitty_, who might call it Part and Parcel of herself, could so
-cheerfully risk her own Life for that of her Child.
-
-Next Morning, both our Heads were thrust simultaneously out of our
-Bedroom Windows. “_Violet_ is doing purely,” cries she; “there’s no
-Plague-spot—How is _Cherry_?” We exchanged Congratulations and heartfelt
-Blessings.
-
-In short, it proved a false Alarm; but as _Cherry_ was so miraculously
-contented under my Care, her Mother would not have her back till every
-Fear of Danger was over, by which Time the pretty Creature was well
-weaned. If _Hugh_ had loved his Wife before this, he now absolutely
-adored her: he said he had learned the Value of his Treasures too dearly
-to run any farther Risk of losing them, come what might to his Business.
-So he shut up Shop, left an old Woman in Charge, bought a Tent, Horse,
-and Cart, and Everything else he wanted or could take; and, one fair
-Morning, he mounted _Kitty_ all smiling under the Tilt, with a Darling
-on each Arm, and Bags, Baskets, and Crockery-ware all about her; and
-shouldering his Carter’s Whip, started off with his Family for _Kent_,
-like a blythe, honest Patriarch.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER IX
-
-                               _Foreshadows_
-
-
-AH! with that little Gipsey-party went all the Smiles I was to see for many
-a Day, though I knew it not.
-
-My Father about this Time seemed dull and sorry of Cheer. I asked him if
-aught ailed him in Body or Mind, or had gone wrong in his Affairs. He
-said, no—that he was sensible of a Heaviness on his Spirits, but could
-no Ways account for it. And, with that Stoutness of Heart which had
-become a second Nature, he bustled about and tried to cast it off. Still
-I watched him narrowly, but could detect no Signs of Disorder. I lay
-awake at Night, thinking of him; and amid the Stillness all about, could
-faintly hear the distant Wail of that poor distracted Madman, who
-incessantly ran about the Streets of the City, crying, “Oh! the great
-and dreadful GOD!”
-
-After Breakfast, my Father said to me, “_Cherry_, I shall be absent for
-an Hour or two, but you may expect me punctually at Dinner.”
-
-I said, “Oh, Father! why must you go forth? is there any pressing
-Occasion?”
-
-“Why, yes, there is,” said he, “for a Man who owes me Money is going to
-make the Plague a Pretext for leaving the Country, and has succeeded, I
-understand, in getting a clean Bill of Health.”
-
-I said, “Let it be, if it be no great Matter.”
-
-“Nay,” he said gently, “it _is_ a great Matter to People in our
-Condition, with whom Trade is at a Stand-still. I have not yet held
-aloof from any necessary Affairs, but I give you my Word I will run no
-needless Risks.”
-
-And so was going forth, when I said, “There is a little white on your
-shoulder,” and brushed it off with my Apron. When I had done it, he
-turned about and kissed me.
-
-We were to have Bacon and Eggs that Day. I had a Presentiment he would
-be after his Time, in spite of what he had said, and told _Dolly_ not to
-fry them till he came in. Hour after Hour passed, long after
-Dinner-time, and still he came not. Then I grew troubled, and kept
-looking along the _Bridge_.
-
-At last, when it was growing dusk, I put on my Hood and went to the
-Bridge Gate. I said to the Gate-keeper, “Did you see my Father pass the
-Gate this Morning, Master _Princeps_?”
-
-“Yes, Mistress _Cherry_, I did,” returned he, “more by Token he said he
-was going either through or to _Lime Street_, I forget which.”
-
-I said, “I can’t think why he don’t come back.”
-
-“Oh!” says he, “he’ll be back presently,” which, though spoken entirely
-at random, yet being uttered in a cheerful Tone, somewhat heartened me,
-and I returned Home.
-
-Master _Benskin_ was putting up his Shop Shutters. I said, “I can’t
-think what has become of my Father, Master _Benskin_.” He said, “Has not
-he come Home? Oh, Something unforeseen must have delayed him. You know
-that might happen to any of us.” And put the Screw in his last Shutter.
-
-I said, “What should you do if you were me?” He said, “Well, I’m sure I
-can’t tell what I should do—I don’t see I could do Anything—He’ll come
-Home presently, I dare say ... don’t be uneasy.” And went in. I thought,
-“_Job’s_ Comforters are ye all.”
-
-About ten o’ the Clock at Night, I went down to the Bridge Gate again.
-They were shutting it up for the Night, and making up the great Bonfire
-in the Middle of the Street. This Time I could hardly speak for crying;
-I said, “Master _Princeps_, I can’t think _why_ my Father doesn’t come
-back! I think Something must have happened!”
-
-“Nay,” says he, “what can have happened? Very likely he has been
-unexpectedly detained, and thinks he shall not be back before the Gate
-is shut, and is too neighbourly to wish to knock me up. So he takes a
-Bed with the Friend he is with.—Now we’ve got it all clear, depend upon
-it!”
-
-“But,” said I, “there’s no Friend he can be with, that I know of.”
-
-“Why, in _Lime Street_!” says he, with all the Confidence imaginable.
-
-“_Lime Street?_ Dear Master _Princeps_, my Father knows nobody in _Lime
-Street_.”
-
-—“Don’t he though?” says he doubtfully. “Well, I’m sure I think he said
-he was going through or to _Lime Street_, I can’t justly remember
-which.”
-
-I turned away in deep Disappointment and Trouble. As I passed under the
-deep Shade of the Houses, some one coming close up to me, said,
-“_Cherry!_ pretty _Cherry_! is that you?” But it was not my Father’s
-Voice, and I passed on in Disgust. I would not fasten the House-door,
-and sat just within it all Night, a Candle set in the Window. I opened
-my Bible at random, in Hope of Something to hearten and comfort.—The
-Words I lighted on were, “I sought him, but could not find him; I called
-him, but he gave me no Answer.” And the Page was wet with my Tears.
-
-As soon as Day broke, I was again at the Door. People going to Market
-early looked at me strangely as they passed. It struck me my Appearance
-was not very tidy, so I went in, washed and re-dressed myself, which
-refreshed me a little, drank a Cup of Milk, and then put on my Hood and
-went down to the Gate. I said, “Master _Princeps_, I can’t think what’s
-come to my Father.”
-
-“Bless my Soul!” cries he, “what, has he not been Home all Night? Then
-you see, he _must_ be sleeping out, and will not have risen yet, to
-disturb his Friend’s Family. So, go your Ways back, Mistress _Cherry_,
-and don’t be fretting; rely on it he will return as soon as he has
-breakfasted, which he cannot have done yet.”
-
-So I turned away, sad at my Heart; and as I passed _John Armytage’s_
-Shop, I looked up at _Violet’s_ Window, and saw her dressed, and just
-putting back her white Curtains. She looked down on me, and nodded, and
-smiled, but I shook my Head sorrowfully, and turned my Face away. Before
-I reached my own Door, I felt some one twitching my Cloak behind, and
-she comes up to me all panting.
-
-“_Cherry!_ dear _Cherry_!” says she breathlessly, “what’s the Matter?”
-
-“I’ve lost my Father,” said I, with filling Eyes.
-
-“Dead!” cries she, looking affrighted.
-
-“He may be,” said I, bursting into Tears, “for he has not come Home all
-Night.”
-
-“Oh, if that’s all,” says she, putting her Arm round me and drawing me
-into the House, “all may yet be well.—How many Women might cry,
-_Cherry_, if they thought their Husbands and Fathers were dead, every
-Time they stayed out all Night! Come, tell me all about it——” And she
-entered with such Concern into my Grief that its Bitterness was allayed.
-
-“Come,” she said, “let us give him till Dinner-time—he may drop in any
-Minute, you know, and if you go looking for him, you know not where, you
-may miss him. So give him till Dinner-time, and after that, if he comes
-not, go and knock at every Door in _Lime Street_, if you will.”
-
-And she stayed, wiling the slow Time as long as she could with talking
-of this and that. At length, Dinner-time came; I could scarce await it,
-and directly the Clock struck, I started forth. It occurred to me I
-would go to _Mark_.
-
-As I approached the Gate, I heard Master _Princeps_ say to the second
-Gate-keeper, “I’ll lay you a Wager this Girl is coming again to ask me
-why she can’t find her Father.”
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  Cherry seeking her father
-]
-
-Instead of which, I only said as I came up to him, “I’m going to look
-for my Father, Master _Princeps_.”
-
-“Well,” says he, “I wish you may find him with all my Heart, but it
-seems like looking for a Pin in a Hayfield.—Perhaps he’ll return while
-you are away.... Take Care where you go; the Streets and Lanes are
-dangerous——”
-
-There were People paying Toll; and while I was waiting to pass, I heard
-one Man ask another if he had seen the great Plague-pit dug in
-_Aldgate_, forty Feet long, and twenty Feet deep; adding, he believed
-many People that were picked up in the Streets were cast into it before
-it was well known if they were dead or alive.
-
-I darted through the Toll-gate the Moment it was clear, and made for
-_Cheapside_. Oh! how awful the Change, during a few Weeks! Not a
-Creature stirring, where lately all had been alive.—At the Turn of a
-Lane I met a Man wheeling a dead Person in a Hand-barrow, and turning
-his own Head aside. Houses were deserted or silent, marked with the
-fatal red Cross. Within one, I heard much wailing and sobbing. At length
-I reached _Mark’s_ House. ’Twas all shut up!—and a Watchman sat smoking
-on the Door-step. He said, “Young Woman, what do you want?” I said, “I
-want to speak to _Mark Blenkinsop_.” ... He said, “Nobody must go out or
-in—the House is under Visitation.”—My Heart sank when I remembered
-_Mark’s_ Forebodings of himself, and I said, “Is he dead?” “I know not
-whether he be dead or no,” replied the Watchman; “a Maid-servant was put
-into the Cart the Night before last, and a ’Prentice the Night before
-that.—Since then, they’ve kept mighty quiet, and asked for Nothing,
-though I’ve rung the House-bell two or three Times. But the Night-watch
-told me that a Woman put her Head out of Window during the Night, and
-called out, ‘Oh! Death, Death, Death!’ three several Times.”
-
-I said, “Ring the Bell again!”
-
-He did so, and pulled it so violently this Time, that the Wire broke. We
-gave each other a blank Look.
-
-“See!” said I, “there’s a Window open on the Second Story——”
-
-“’Tis where the Woman put out her Head and screeched, during the Night,”
-said he.
-
-“Could not you get a Ladder,” said I, “and look in?”
-
-“Well,” said he, “I will, if you will stay here and see that no one
-comes out while I’m gone.”
-
-So I said I would, but I should have been a sorry Guard had any one
-indeed rushed forth, so weak was I and trembling. I thought of _Mark_
-lying within, perhaps stiff and cold.
-
-Presently the Watchman returned with a Ladder, but it was too short, so
-then he had to go for another. This Time he was much longer gone, so
-that I was almost beside myself with waiting. All this Time not a
-Creature passed. At length a Man came along the Middle of the Street,
-holding a red Rod before him. He cried, “What do you there?” I said, “We
-know not whether the Family be dead or have deserted the House—a
-Watchman has gone for a Ladder to look through the open Window.” He
-said, “I will send some one to look to it,” and passed on.
-
-Then the Watchman and another Man appeared, carrying a long Ladder
-between them. They set it against the Window, and the Watchman went up.
-When he had looked in, he cried out in a fearful Voice, “There’s a Woman
-in white, lying all along on the Floor, seemingly dead, with a Casket of
-Jewels in her Hand.—Shall I go in?”—“Aye, do,” I exclaimed. The other
-Man, hearing talk of Jewels, cried, “Here, come you down, if you be
-afraid, and I’ll go in,” and gave the Ladder a little Shake; which,
-however, only made the Watchman at once jump through the Window. Then up
-came two Men, saying, “We are from my _Lord Mayor_, empowered to seal up
-any Property that may be left, if the Family indeed be dead.”—So they
-went up the Ladder too, and the other Man had no Mind to go now; and
-presently the Watchman comes out of the House-door, looking very pale,
-and says he, “Besides the Lady on the Floor, with all her Jewels about
-her, there’s not a Soul, alive nor dead, in the House; the others must
-have escaped over the back Walls and Out-houses.”
-
-Then my Heart gave a great Beat, for I concluded _Mark_ had escaped,
-leaving his Wife to die alone; and now all my Thoughts returned to my
-Father. I hastened to one or two Acquaintances of his, who, it was just
-possible, might have seen him; but their Houses were one and all shut
-up, and, lying some Way apart from each other, this took up much Time. I
-now became bewildered and almost wild, not knowing where to look for
-him; and catching like a drowning Man at a Straw, I went to _Lime
-Street_. Here I went all up one Side and all down the other, knocking at
-every Door that was not padlocked. At first I made my Inquiries
-coherently enough, and explained my Distress and got a civil Answer;
-but, as I went on and still did not find him, my Wits seemed to
-unsettle, and, when any one came to the Door, which was often not till
-after much knocking and waiting, I had got nothing to say to them but,
-“Have you seen my Father?” and when they stared and said, “Who is your
-Father?” I could not rightly bring his Name to Mind. This gave me some
-Sign of Wildness, I suppose, for after a While, the People did not so
-much look strange as pitying, and said, “Who is your Father, poor Girl?”
-and waited patiently for me to answer. All except one rough Man, who
-cried fiercely, “In the Dead-pit in _Aldgate_, very likely, where my
-only Child will be to-night.” Then I lost Sense altogether, and
-shrieked, “Oh! he’s in the Pit! _Father! Father!_” and went running
-through the Streets, a-wringing my Hands. At length a Voice far off
-answered, “Daughter! Daughter! here I am!” and I rushed towards it,
-crying, “Oh, where? I’m coming! I’m coming!” And so got nearer and
-nearer till it was only just at the Turn of the next Street; but when I
-gained it, I came upon a Party of disorderly young Men. One of them
-cries, “Here I am, Daughter!” and burst out laughing. But I said, “Oh,
-you are not he,” and brake away from him.
-
-“Stay, I know all about him,” cries another. “Was he tall or short?” Oh,
-wicked, wicked Men, thought I, ’tis such as you that break Fathers’
-Hearts!
-
-[Illustration]
-
-How I got back to the _Bridge_, I know not. I was put to Bed in a raging
-Fever. In my Deliration I seemed to see my Father talking earnestly with
-another Man whose Face I knew not, and who appeared to hear him with
-Impatience, and want to leave him, but my Father laid his Hand upon his
-Arm. Then the other, methought, plucked a heavy Bag from under his
-Cloke, and cast it towards my Father, crying, “Plague take it and you
-too!” Then methought my Father took it up and walked off with it into
-the Street, but as he went, he changed Colour, stopped short, staggered,
-and fell. Presently I seemed to hear a Bell, and a dismal Voice crying,
-“Bring out your Dead!”—and a Cart came rumbling along, and a Man held a
-Lanthorn to my Father’s Face, and without more Ado, took him up and cast
-him into the Cart. Then methought, a Man in the Cart turned the Horse
-about, and drove away without waiting to call anywhere else, to a dismal
-lone Field, lying all in the Blackness of Darkness, where the Cart
-turned about, and shot a Heap of senseless Bodies into a great, yawning
-Pit ... them that a few Hours back had been strong, hearty Men,
-beautiful Women, smiling Children.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER X
-
-                             _A Friend in Need_
-
-
-WHEN I returned to my Reason, it was with an inexpressible Sense of Weakness
-and Weariness. The first Thing I saw was dear _Violet’s_ Face close to
-mine, her large, dark Eyes fixed full upon me; and as soon as she saw
-that I knew her, she exclaims, “_Cherry_, dear _Cherry_! I thought I had
-no more Tears left to shed, but I must cry again with Pleasure now—” and
-wept over me.
-
-I said, “Is he come back yet?” She said, “You must only think of getting
-well now.”
-
-“Ah,” I said, “I know he is not,” and turned my Head away, and still
-felt her warm Tears dropping over me. They seemed to heal where they
-fell; and presently, I shed Tears too, which cleared my Head, and
-somewhat relieved me; but oh! the Weakness!—
-
-I was very slow getting well. All the While, dear _Violet_ kept with me,
-read to me, cheered me, cherished me ... oh, what a Friend! How Trouble
-brings out the real Good in People’s Characters, if there be any!
-
-Before I was well able to sit up, Master _Benskin_ sent in Word he had
-Something important to say to me as soon as I was equal to hearing it. I
-thought he might have got some Clue to my Father, and said I was quite
-equal to hearing Anything he had to tell. Then he came in, treading on
-Tip-toe, and looking very awe-stricken; and, says he, “Mistress
-_Cherry_,”—taking a Chair as he spoke, a good Way off from me,—“the
-lamented Event which we may now consider to have taken place....”
-
-“No, Master _Benskin_, no,” interrupted I, faintly; “I still hope there
-has been _no_ lamented Event——”
-
-“Makes it my Duty,” continued he, without minding me, “to tell you that
-you need be under no Uneasiness about pecuniary Circumstances.”
-
-“I am not, I assure you,” said I. “Oh that I had nothing worse to be
-uneasy about!”
-
-“This House,” continued he, “was your Father’s for ninety-nine Years,
-and is now yours; and he moreover had saved six hundred Pounds, three
-hundred of which he lent me, and three hundred _Hugh Braidfoot_, we
-paying him five per Cent., which we will continue to pay you, or hand
-over to you the Principal, whichever you like.”
-
-“Thank you, Master _Benskin_,” said I; “I should wish Everything to
-continue just as it is.... I am sure my Father’s Money can’t be in
-better Hands; and I shall recommence inquiring for him directly I am
-strong enough, which I almost am already.”
-
-“Ah,” said he, with a sorrowful Smile and a Shake of the Head, “how slow
-Women are to give up Hope!... Sure enough, ’tis one of the cardinal
-Virtues; but they practise it as if ’twere their Nature, without making
-a Merit of it. I wish you well from my Heart, Miss _Cherry_.”
-
-All this While I was fretting to see Master _Blower_. I said often to
-_Violet_, “I wish Master _Blower_ would look in to see me, and talk to
-me and pray with me as he used to do with my Mother. Sure, I’m sick
-enow! and he might, for as long as he has known me, count me the same as
-one of his own Congregation.”
-
-And _Violet_ would make Answer, “Indeed, _Cherry_, if you consider how
-the good Man is wearing himself out among his own Flock, going hither
-and thither without setting his Life at a Pin’s Purchase, spending all
-his Time in Visitation that is not taken up with the Services of the
-Church, you need not be surprised he comes not so far as this,
-especially as he knows not of your Affliction nor your Illness.”
-
-“How do you, that are not a Church-woman, know he does all you say?”
-said I.
-
-“I had it from the old Woman that brings the Curds and Whey,” returned
-_Violet_; “she, you know, is one of his Parishioners; and, from what she
-says of him, it appears he could not do more if he were a Dissenter.”
-
-“A Dissenter, indeed! I admire that!” said I. “If he were a slothful,
-timid, self-indulgent Person, you would bestow all his Faults on his
-Church; but because his Light shines before Men, so that they cannot
-help glorifying his Father which is in Heaven, you say he could hardly
-do more if he were a Dissenter!—I shall go to him as soon as ever I get
-well.”
-
-And so I did; while, indeed, I was hardly strong enough for so long a
-Walk; for I had a Notion he would tell me where to find my Father; or
-comfort me, maybe, if he thought he could not be found. It was now late
-in _September_.—His Parish was one of the worst in _Whitechapel_,—he
-lived in a roomy, gloomy old Parsonage-house, too large for a single
-Man, in a Street that was now deserted and grass-grown. The first Thing
-I saw was a Watchman asleep on the Steps, which gave me a Pang; for,
-having heard Master _Blower_ was so active in his Parish, I somehow had
-never reckoned on his being among the Sick, though that was a very just
-Reason why he should be. I had thought so good a Man would lead a
-charmed Life, forgetful that in this World there is often one Event to
-the Righteous and to the Wicked, and that if the Good always escaped, no
-Harm would have befallen my Father. However, this sudden Shock, for such
-it was, brought Tears into my Eyes, and I began to be at my Wits’ End,
-who should tell me now where to find my Father, and to lament over the
-Illness of my good and dear Friend, Master _Blower_. Then I bethought
-me,—Perhaps he is not in the House, but may have left it in Charge of
-some Woman, who is ill,—if I waken the Watchman, he certainly will not
-let me in; the Key is grasped firmly in his Hand, so firmly that I dare
-not try to take it, but yet I must and will get in.—
-
-Then I observed that, in carelessly locking the Door, the Lock had
-overshot it, so that, in Fact, the Door, instead of being locked, would
-not even shut. So I stept lightly past the Watchman and into the House;
-and the first Thing within the Threshold was a Can of Milk, turned quite
-sour, which shewed how long it must have stood without any Body’s being
-able to fetch it. I closed the Door softly after me, and went into all
-the ground-floor Rooms; they were empty and close shuttered: the Motes
-dancing in the Sunbeams that came through the round Holes in the
-Shutters. Then I went softly up Stairs, and looked timidly into one or
-two Chambers, not knowing what ghastly Sight I might chance upon; but
-they were tenantless. As I stood at pause in the Midst of one of them,
-which was a Sitting-room, and had one or two Chairs out of their Places,
-as if it had been never set to rights since it was last in Occupation, I
-was startled by hearing a Man in the Room beyond giving a loud,
-prolonged Yawn, as though he were saying, “Ho, ho, ho, ho, hum!” Then
-all was silent again: I thought it must be Master _Blower_, and went
-forward, but paused, with my Hand on the Lock. Then I thought I heard a
-murmuring Voice within; and, softly opening the Door and looking in,
-perceived a great four-post Bed with dark green Curtains drawn close all
-round it, standing in the Midst of a dark oaken Floor that had not been
-bees-waxed recently enough to be slippery. Two or three tall,
-straight-backed Chairs stood about; a Hat upon one, a Boot upon another,
-quite in the Style of Master _Blower_; and close to the Bed was a Table
-with Jugs, Cups, and Phials, and a Night-lamp still burning, though
-’twas broad Day. The Shutters also were partially shut, admitting only
-one long Stream of slanting Light over-against the Bed; but whether any
-one were in the Bed, I could not at first make out, for all was as still
-as Death. Presently, however, from within the Curtains came a somewhat
-thick Voice, exclaiming, “Oh LORD, my Heart is ready, my Heart is ready!
-I will sing and give Praise with the best Member that I have! Awake,
-Lute and Harp! I myself will awake right early!”
-
-[Illustration]
-
-Here the dear good Man fell a-coughing, as if Something stuck in his
-Throat; and I tip-toeing up to the Bedside, withdrew the Curtains and
-softly said, “Master _Blower_!”
-
-Never shall I forget my first Sight of him! There he lay on his Back,
-with Everything quite clean and fresh about him, not routed and tumbled
-as most Men’s would have been, but as smooth as if just mangled:—his
-Head, without e’er a Nightcap, lying straight on his Pillow, his Face
-the Mirror of Composedness and Peaceification, and his great, brown
-Eyes, glowing with some steady, not feverish Light, turned slowly round
-upon me, as if fresh from beholding some beatific, solemnifying Sight.
-
-“Why, _Cherry_,” says he, looking much pleased, “are you come to look on
-me before I die? I thought I had taken my last Sight of all below,”—and
-reaching out his Hand to me from under the Bedclothes, I was shocked to
-perceive how it was wasted: every Knuckle a perfect Knob.
-
-“Don’t touch me!” cries he, plucking it away again, and burying it out
-of Sight,—“I forgot you hadn’t had the Plague. What a selfish Fellow I
-am!—How’s your dear Father, _Cherry_?”
-
-I could not withhold myself from weeping, and was unable to answer.
-
-“Ah, I see how it is,” says he kindly; “poor _Cherry_! poor _Cherry_!
-‘the Righteous perish and no Man layeth it to Heart,’—I heard a Voice
-say, ‘Write: Blessed are the Dead which die in the LORD. Yea, saith the
-Spirit, for they rest from their Labours.’... I shall see him before you
-will, _Cherry_. Go Home, Child, go Home, ... this Air is fraught with
-Danger.”
-
-I said, “I am not afraid of it, Sir,—I would rather stay a While with
-you.”
-
-“Well, then,” said he, “just give me a Drink of Water, or Anything
-liquid you can find; for I have had Nothing but what I could help myself
-to, these twenty-four Hours. My Throat is so bad, I cannot swallow
-Anything solid.... Oh! Oh!—” And as he held back his Throat to drink, I
-noticed the Plague Swellings.
-
-“That will do nicely, now,” sighed he, when I had smoothed his Pillow;
-“and now go, I prithee, dear _Cherry_, and look after poor _Dorcas_,
-who, I fear, must be dead or dying somewhere about the House.”
-
-So I did as he bade me; and, as I knew she was not on the Floor below, I
-went in quest of her up Stairs. _Dorcas_ had lived with Master _Blower_
-ever since he commenced Housekeeping; and had had the Help of a younger
-Maid, who now, it seemed, had left, or died. She was a Widow-woman in
-her third score, eccentric, like her Master, in some Matters; but
-withal, of the sweetest, pleasantest Countenance! and of pleasant
-Conditions too, so that they were well matched. She preferred being
-called Mistress _Peach_; but Master _Blower_ liked calling her _Dorcas_,
-and carried his Point.
-
-I found her in the upper Story, lying all across her Bed, dressed, but
-more dead than alive. “Alas! young Woman,” says she.... “What! is it
-Mistress _Cherry_? Heaven be praised! How is my Master? Doth he live
-yet?”
-
-I said, Yes, and I hoped was going on well.
-
-“Ah,” says she, “I left him at Death’s Door, but could no longer keep
-about myself; so, set him straight as well as I could, and then crawled
-up here, thinking to bundle my Mattress down Stairs, and at all events
-die within hearing of him. But ’twas quite beyond my Strength.... I fell
-all along, and here I’ve been ever since.”
-
-Then she began to groan terribly, but I made her as comfortable as I
-could, dressed her Throat, persuaded her to swallow a little cooling
-Drink, and loosened her Clothes; all which she took very thankfully, but
-then became restless about her Master, and prayed me to go down to him,
-for he wanted me more than she did.
-
-So I returned to Master _Blower_, whom I now found a good deal more
-suffering and feverish than when I left him, and beginning to toss
-about. I quite gave up all Intention of leaving the House, yet thought
-_Violet_ might be uneasy about me; therefore I stepped down to beg the
-Watchman to send a Message to her; but found the House-door locked.
-
-On my rapping against it and calling, he unlocked it and looked in.
-“Hallo, young Woman,” says he, “how came you here?”
-
-“I stepped in while you were asleep,” said I, “the Door being ajar.”
-
-“Asleep? that’s a pretty Tale to tell of me,” quoth he. “I wonder if
-_you_ wouldn’t feel sleepy sometimes, sitting from Morn to Night on a
-Door-step, full in the Sun!”
-
-“I want to tell no Tales,” said I, “but only desire to send Word to my
-Friends on the _Bridge_ that I cannot return to them at present, being
-wanted here.”
-
-“Return? of course you cannot,” says he. “Why, do you suppose Persons
-are to be allowed to walk in and out of Houses under Visitation at their
-Will? ’Tis clear against my _Lord Mayor’s_ Orders.”
-
-This had escaped me; however, it made no Difference; and he engaged to
-let _Violet_ know the Cause of my Detention. Then I returned to my
-Charges, and, to my great Surprise, found _Dorcas_ had crawled nearly
-all down the Flight of Stairs between her and Master _Blower_, and was
-now lying all along. She said, “I thought I must see how Master was ...
-if you will but tumble the Mattress down, Mistress _Cherry_, I’ll lie
-just within his Door,—then you won’t have to run up and down Stairs so
-often.” It did, indeed, make it easier for me to attend to them both;
-and truly I never had such a Night before nor since; for though my dear
-Mother’s Sufferings had been long drawn out and very sad to witness,
-they had never amounted to acute Agony. The Fever of both ran very high
-all Night, and it seemed to me that Master _Blower_ in his Deliration
-went through the whole Book of _Job_ in his Head, from the disjointed
-Fragments he uttered here and there. Also he seemed much argufying with
-an impenitent Sinner in his Flock, his Reasonings and tender Persuasives
-with whom were enough to have melted a Stone. As to Mistress _Peach_, I
-must say her Thoughts ran mostly on her Jams, ... she conceited herself
-opening Pot after Pot and finding every one fermented; and kept
-exclaiming in a doleful Voice, “Oh dear, here’s another Bishop’s Wig!”
-So that, what with being ready to laugh at her, and to cry over him, I
-was quite carried out of myself, and away from my own Troubles. Towards
-Day-dawn they both became quiet; I fumigated the Room, bathed their
-Temples with Vinegar, moistened their Mouths, and then knelt down in a
-Corner to pray; after which, I dozed a little. I had heard the
-Death-cart going its melancholy Round during the Night; and had felt
-thankful we had no Dead to be carried out.
-
-In the Morning, both my Patients seemed bettering. _Dorcas_, with my
-Help, got to her Master’s Bedside, and looked in on him. “Dear Sir,”
-says she, “how are you now?”
-
-“Somewhat easier, but very thirsty, Mistress _Peach_,” says he.
-
-“Oh dear, Sir,” says she, “don’t call me Mistress _Peach_, or I shall
-think you’re going to die. I like _Dorcas_ best now. What a Mercy it
-was, Sir, Mistress _Cherry_ came in as she did, for we were both at
-Death’s Door. I dare say, Sir, you missed me?”
-
-“How should I do otherwise?” said he, speaking very thick, and with
-evident Pain.... “I’ve got a Wasp’s Nest in my Throat, I think.... How
-should I do otherwise, I say, when no one came near me for twenty-four
-Hours?”
-
-“Ah, Sir,” says she, “I’m sure I beg your Pardon for behaving so
-ill,—for _being_ so ill, that is; but indeed I could not help it. I
-thought,” continues she, turning to me, “I wouldn’t die, as ’twere, just
-under his Nose, so crawled out of Sight; but put Everything near him
-that he could want before I took the Liberty of leaving him; and did the
-best Thing I could for him at parting, by putting a fine drawing Plaster
-round his Throat.... Pray, Sir, did it draw?”
-
-“Draw?” cries he, with the first indignant Flash I ever saw from his
-pleasant Eyes ... and ’twas half humourous, too,—“Like a Cart-horse! I
-should have been dead Hours ago, you Woman, had I kept it on!”
-
-Sorrowful as I was, I could not help bursting out a-laughing, and he did
-so too, when suddenly stopping short and looking very odd,—“I don’t know
-whatever has given way in my Throat,” says he, “but verily I think that
-Laugh has saved me! Here! give me some Water, or Milk, or Anything to
-drink, for I can swallow now.”
-
-So I gave him some Water, and ran down Stairs for some Milk, the
-Night-watchman having promised to set some within the Door. When I got
-back, there was quite another Expression on his Face; composed and
-thankful. _Dorcas_ was shedding Tears as she tended him, quite
-thoughtless of herself.
-
-“Now, _Cherry_,” says he, “do persuade this dear Woman to lie down and
-take Care of herself, for she has had Faith enough in her famous
-Plasters to have put one about her own Throat, and I know what she must
-be suffering, or will have to suffer.”
-
-So I gently led her back to her Mattress, and then, sitting down by
-Master _Blower_, fed him with some Sponge-cake that was none the worse
-for being stale when sopped in Milk, warm from the Cow. He took it with
-great Satisfaction, and said he hoped I should not think him greedy when
-I remembered how long he had fasted. Then he would not be peaceified
-till I went down Stairs and breakfasted by myself: telling me his Mind
-to him a Kingdom was, or somewhat to that Effect, which I could
-thoroughly believe. When I came back, _Dorcas_ seemed sleeping soundly,
-though not very easily. Master _Blower_ had got the same heavenly Look
-as when I first saw him. I asked him if there were Anything I could do
-for him. He said, Yes, I could read him the fortieth Psalm. When I had
-done so, he said, “And now you can read me the hundred and sixteenth.”
-That, he said, would do to reflect upon, and I might go my Ways now; he
-should want Nothing more for a good While. So I sat down in a great
-Arm-chair with a tall Back, wherein, the Chair being mighty comfortable,
-and I somewhat o’erwearied with watching, (not being very strong yet,)
-or ever I was aware I fell asleep, which certainly was not very good
-Nursing nor good Manners.
-
-When I woke up, which may perhaps have been not so soon as it seemed to
-me, “Well, Mistress _Cherry_,” says Master _Blower_, somewhat
-ironically, “I hope you have had a good Nap. A Penny for your Dream.”
-
-I said it had been a wonderful pleasant one ... too wonderful, I feared,
-to come true.
-
-“Well, let’s have it, nevertheless,” says he; “I like hearing wonderful
-Dreams sometimes, when I’ve Nothing better to do. So, now for it.”
-
-—When I came to think it over, however, it seemed so different, waking
-and sleeping, that I despaired of making it seem to him Anything like
-what it had seemed to me.
-
-“Come,” said he, “you’re making a new one.”
-
-“Oh no, Sir!” said I, “I would not do such a Thing on any Account.—My
-Dream was this;—only I fear you’ll call it a comical one.... Methought I
-was walking with you, Sir, (I beg your Pardon for dreaming of you, which
-I should not have done if I had not been nursing of you, I dare say)——”
-
-“Pardon’s granted,” says he. “Go on.”
-
-“I thought, Sir, I was walking with you in a Garden all full of Roses,
-Pinks, Crownations, Columbines, Jolly-flowers, Heartsease, and—and....”
-
-“A Kiss behind the Garden-gate,” says he.
-
-I was quite thrown out; and said, I did not believe there was such a
-Flower.
-
-“Oh yes, there is,” says he,—“Well but the rest of your Dream——”
-
-“That’s all, Sir.”
-
-“_All?_” cries he.
-
-“Yes, Sir; only that we went on walking and walking, and the Garden was
-so mighty pleasant.”
-
-“Why, you told me there was Something wonderful in it!” says he.
-
-I said it _had_ seemed wonderful at the Time——
-
-“That there was _not_ a Kiss behind the Garden-gate,” says he, laughing.
-“O fie, _Cherry_!”
-
-I felt quite ashamed; and said it was very silly to tell Dreams, or to
-believe in them.
-
-“Why, yes,” said he seriously, “it _is_ foolish to believe in the
-disjointed Images thrown together by a distempered Fancy; though
-aforetime it oft pleased our HEAVENLY FATHER to communicate his Will to
-his Servants through the Avenues of their sleeping Senses. How should
-you and I be walking in a Garden together? There are no Gardens in
-_Whitechapel, Cherry_. In _Berkshire_, indeed, my Brother the Squire has
-a Garden something like what you describe, full of Roses, Pinks, and
-Gilly-flowers, with great, flourished iron Gates, and broad, turfen
-Walks, and Arbours, like green Wigs, and clipped Hedges full of Snails,
-and Ponds full of Fish. If I go down there to get well, _Cherry_, as
-peradventure I may, for I shall want setting up again before I’m fit for
-Work—(I’ve fallen away till I’m as thin as _Don Quixote_!) I’ll ask his
-Wife to invite you down, _Cherry_, to see the Garden; and then we’ll
-look up all those Flowers we were talking about.”
-
-“Thank you kindly, Sir,” said I, sorrowfully, “but I don’t think I can
-go.... I must be looking for my Father.”
-
-“Your Father!” cries he, in Amaze. “Why, dear _Cherry_, I thought you
-told me he was dead!”
-
-I tried to answer him, but could not, and fell a-sobbing.
-
-“Come,” says he, quite moved, “I want to hear all this sad Story.”
-
-When I was composed enough to tell it him, he listened with deep
-Attention, and I saw a Tear steal down his Cheek.
-
-“_Cherry_,” says he at length, “you must give over hoping he will
-return, my Dear. There is not a Likelihood of it. Consider how long a
-Time has elapsed since he went forth; and how many, as dear to their
-Families as your Father to you, have been cut off in the Streets at a
-Moment’s Notice, and carried off to the Dead-pits before they were
-recognised. For such awful Casualties the Good are not unprepared.
-Instead of carrying back Infection and Desolation to his Home, and
-lingering for Hours and Days in unspeakable Agonies, the good Man was
-doubtless carried at once to the Bosom of his GOD.”
-
-Then he spake Words that killed Hope, and yet brought Healing; and after
-weeping long and plentifully, I began to see Things as he did, and to
-feel convinced I should see my Father’s Face no more: which, indeed, I
-never did.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER XI
-
-                    _Distinction between would & should_
-
-
-DORCAS, who continued very ill all this Day, began thereafter to amend, and
-was able to take the sole Night-watch. But the Watchman would not let me
-go forth, though he would send my Messages to _Violet_, and give me the
-Packages of Clothing and so forth that _Violet_ sent me. However, one
-Day a Doctor called, and gave as his Reason for not coming before, that
-he had been ill himself. And he said both my Patients were in such a
-fair Way of Recovery, that he thought in another Week I might leave the
-House without Danger to myself or others, only attending to the proper
-Fumigations.
-
-Master _Blower_ now sat up in his easy Chair, half wakeful, half dozing,
-for he was too weak to read much. But he liked me to read to him, which
-I did for Hours together; and the Subject-matter of the Book often gave
-Rise to much pleasant Talk, insomuch that I began to be secretly and
-selfishly sorry that the Time was so near at Hand when he would be well
-enough to do without me.
-
-At other Times I got him to talk to me about the Country-house of his
-Brother, the Squire, wherein he himself had been born, and had spent all
-his boyish Days. And when I heard him tell about the little ivy-covered
-Church, and the pretty Churchyard planted with Flowers, and the rustic
-Congregation in their red Cloaks and white Frocks, and the Village Choir
-with their Pipes and Rebecks, it seemed to me I would rather, a thousand
-Times, be Vicar or even Curate of such a Place as that than have ever
-such a large, grand Living in _Whitechapel_. And so I told him.
-
-At other Times I sat sewing quite silent by the Window, leaving him to
-doze if he could; and sometimes I could see without looking up, that his
-Eye would rest on me for a good While at a Time. I did not care a Pin
-about it, and made as though I took no Notice.
-
-“_Cherry_,” says he, after one of these Ruminations, “what have the Men
-been about that you have never got married?”
-
-I plucked up my Spirit on this; and, “Sir,” said I, “if you can tell me
-of any suitable Answer I can possibly make to such a Question as that,
-I’ll be much obliged to you for it, and will make Use of it!”
-
-“Well!” says he, “it _was_ a queer Question ... only, the Thing seems so
-wonderful to me! Such a pretty Girl as you were when I first knew you!”
-
-“Ah, that was a long While ago, Sir,” said I, threading my Needle.
-
-“It was!” said he, decidedly; and then looking at me in an amused Kind
-of Way, to see how I took it. “A long While ago, as you say, _Cherry_!
-And, do you know, I think exactly the same of you now, that I did then!”
-
-“I am very much obliged to you, Sir,” said I; and went to make him a
-Bread-pudding.
-
-Another Time, we fell to talking about the Awfulness of the Visitation,
-which, he said, he feared would make no lasting Impression on the
-People. And he spoke much about individual Sins helping to bring down
-national Chastisements; and individual Intercessions and Supplications
-inviting Forgiveness of general Transgressions; quoting _Daniel_, and
-_Abraham_, and _Jeremiah_, “Run ye to and fro through the Streets of
-_Jerusalem_, and see now and know, and seek in the broad Places thereof,
-if ye can find a Man that executeth Judgment, that seeketh the Truth;
-and I will pardon it.”
-
-Another Time, feeling weaker than common, he began to despond about
-getting down to his Brother the Squire’s. I said, “Dear Sir, if you are
-not equal to so long a Journey, you can come, for Change of Air, to your
-old Quarters on the Bridge.”
-
-“Ah, _Cherry_,” said he, faintly smiling, “what would Folks say if I did
-that?”
-
-“Why, what _should_ they say, Sir?” said I.
-
-“I’m not considering what they _should_ say,” said he; “what they
-_would_ say, _Cherry_, would probably be, that I meant to marry you; or
-ought to mean it.”
-
-I said I did not suppose they would or could say any such Thing; I being
-so long known on the Bridge,—and he of his Years——
-
-“Humph!” said he, “I am but forty-four! To hear you talk, one might
-think I was a—” ... I forget what Sort of an Arian he called
-himself,—“Do you know what that means, _Cherry_?”
-
-I said, I believed it was some Sort of a Dissenter. On which he laughed
-outright; and said it meant sixty or seventy Years of Age, I forget
-which.
-
-“And I’m not quite such an old Codger as that,” said he, “so I won’t
-accept your kind Invitation, though I thank you heartily for it. But we
-must not let our Good be evil spoken of.”
-
-All this was spoken in such a simple, genial, attaching Sort of a
-Way,—for his Manners were always gentle and well-nurtured,—that it only
-went to make me like him more and more, and think what a Privilege it
-was to be thus in hourly Communion with Master _Blower_.
-
-Parting Time came at last. It was my own Fault if I left not that House
-a wiser, better, and happier Woman. _Dorcas_ and I saw him start off for
-_Berkshire_; and there was a Tear in my Eye, when he took my Hand to bid
-me Farewell.
-
-“_Cherry_,” said he, still holding my Hand, and looking at me with great
-Goodness and Sweetness, “I shall never forget that to you, under Heaven,
-I owe my Life. And, by the Way, there is Something I have often thought
-of naming to you, only that it never occurred to me at the proper Time
-... a very odd Circumstance.—When I escaped to _Holland_, and, as some
-People thought, was in Want of Money, I found seven gold Pieces in the
-Inside of one of my Slippers! Who could have put them there, do you
-think? Ah, _Cherry_!—There! GOD bless you!”
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER XII
-
-                       _Camping out in Epping Forest_
-
-
-WHEN I returned Home, my Neighbours looked strangely on me, as though I were
-one risen from the Dead, after nursing two People through the Plague
-without Hurt. I said not much, however, to any of them except to
-_Violet_.
-
-When I had told her all I had to tell, she said, “Well, I think the Tale
-ends rather flatly: you and Master _Blower_ might as well have made a
-Match of it.”
-
-“Truly, _Violet_,” said I, “I think Women of our age may be capable of a
-disinterested Action, without Question of Matchmaking.”
-
-“As to Women of _our_ Age,” retorted she, “speak for yourself, if you
-please! You may make out yourself to be as old as you will; but I mean
-to stick at Twenty-eight!”
-
-I said not another Word, but secretly wondered how strangely tender some
-People are on the Subject of Age. Even Master _Blower_, who had owned to
-Forty-four, did not like me to reckon him at Fifty.
-
-It was now quite the latter End of _October_, the Distemper was abating,
-and People were beginning to venture back to their Homes, and a few
-Shops were re-opened. _Hugh Braidfoot_ and his Family returned among the
-rest. But too heedless an Exposure to the Infection yet lingering among
-us caused the Distemper to rage again with great Fury before it abated
-for good.
-
-I now kept myself close, and spent the Chief of the Day at my Needle or
-Book, working much for the Poor, who were like enough to be destitute in
-the Winter. First, however, I put on Mourning for my poor, dear Father,
-whom I could not bear to deny this Mark of Remembrance, though the
-Mortality being so great, People had quite left off wearing Black for
-their Friends. Much he dwelt in my sad, solitary Thoughts; and when they
-ran not on him, they chiefly settled on Master _Blower_. The more I
-considered their Characters, the more Beauty I found in them.
-
-I never opened the Shop-shutters now, except for a little Light. Trade
-was utterly stagnant; and my Father’s Business had dropped with him. The
-little I might have done in the Perfumery Line, had the Town not been
-empty, would not have been worth speaking of: it was a Mercy, therefore,
-that my dear Father had left me well provided.
-
-One Evening, when it was getting too dusk to work or read, and I was
-falling into a Muse, a tall Shadow darkened the Door, which happened to
-be ajar, and the next Moment a Man whom I did not immediately recognise,
-entered the Parlour and stepped up to me.
-
-“_Cherry!_ dear _Cherry_!” he said in a stifled Voice, and took me in
-his Arms with a Brother’s Affection. It was poor _Mark_.
-
-“Dear _Mark_!” I said, “where _have_ you been? Oh, how often have I
-thought of you!”
-
-“Aye, _Cherry_, well you might, and pray for me, too,” said he, somewhat
-wildly. “Oh, what a Tale I have to tell you!—You will either hate or
-despise me.”
-
-“You are ill, very ill,” said I, looking fearfully at his haggard Face;
-“let me give you Something before you say another Word.”
-
-“Wine, then,” said he; and drank with avidity the Glass I poured out,
-and then filled it again himself. “Thanks, dear _Cherry_!—will my Uncle
-be coming in?”
-
-I looked at him and at my Dress, and could not speak; but there was no
-need—“Ah!”—said he; and wrung my Hand, and then dropped it.
-
-[Illustration]
-
-“_Cherry_,” said he, after a Moment’s Pause, “you know how afraid I was
-of the Plague, and how my Wife taunted me for it, and for taking the
-commonest Precautions. She herself braved it, defied it; secure in her
-Amulet and Fortune-telling. What was worse, she cruelly exposed her
-Servants to it, for the merest Trifles. We had Words about it often:
-bitter Words, at last—She accused me, utterly without Foundation, of
-caring more for the Servant-girl than for her, reviled me for tempting
-my own Fate by Fear; finally, said I should be no great Loss, for I had
-never cared much for her, nor she for me. All this embittered me against
-her. Well, the poor Maid caught the Plague at the Butchers’ Stalls, and,
-the next Night, was in the Dead-cart. The following Day, our youngest
-’Prentice died. The other decamped in the Night. I now became nearly Mad
-with Fear and Anger; and, finding my Wife would not stir, or at least,
-as she said, ‘not yet,’ I considered that Self-preservation was the
-first Law of Nature; and, taking a good Supply of Money with me, I left
-the House in the Night. Fear of being driven back was my sole Feeling
-till I got clear out of _London_; then, I began to have an Impression I
-had done wrong. But ’twas Death, ’twas Madness to think of turning back.
-On I went....
-
-“It had been my Impression, _Cherry_, that, with plenty of Money in my
-Pocket, I could make my Way wherever I would; but now, in whatever
-Direction I went, I came upon a Watchman, who, because I had no Clean
-Bill of Health to show, would not let me pass. At length, after running
-hither and thither, throughout the Night, I came upon a couple of Men,
-with a small Cart and Horse. They seemed to be in the same Strait as
-myself, and talked of fetching a Compass to _Bow_. I asked them to let
-me join them, and they consented. They were a rough Sort of Fellows; one
-it seemed had deserted his Mother, the other his Wife. Their Conduct,
-and their brutal Way of talking of it, only made mine seem more ugly.
-
-“On _Bow Bridge_ the Watch would have questioned us, but we crossed the
-Road into a narrow Way leading to _Old Ford_. Afterwards we got on to
-_Homerton_ and _Hackney_, and at length into the northern Road. Here we
-went on till we saw some Men running towards us; then we struck into a
-Lane, halted at a Barn, and had some Bread and Cheese. The Food was
-theirs, but I paid for my Share; and I saw them curiously eyeing my
-Money. Afterwards they asked one or two Questions about my Resources,
-which I did not much like.
-
-“Well, we kept on till we were many Miles from _London_, occasionally
-dodging Villages and Constables. At Nightfall we reached the Skirt of a
-Wood. Here my Companions proposed to sleep; but as soon as they were
-fairly off, I stole away. I wandered a long Way from them in the Wood;
-at length took refuge in a Cow-shed. I thought I heard Voices, not far
-off, which made me uneasy; however, I was so tired that I fell asleep.
-
-“As soon as Day dawned, I made off; and, not knowing which Track to
-take, went on at Random, till I came to a large old Barn. To my
-Surprise, I heard some one praying within. I looked in, and saw, not
-one, but a dozen Men, and two or three Women and Children. I stood
-reverently aside till the old Man had done, and heard him pray that they
-might all continue to be spared from the awful Visitation. When they
-uncovered their Faces, I stept forward, on which there was a loud Cry,
-and they warned me off. It was to no Use speaking, they would not hear
-me as I had no Passport. Dispirited and hungry, I strayed away till I
-came to the Skirt of the Wood, in Sight of a Cluster of Houses. I was
-about to make for them, when three Men, with a Pitchfork, Bludgeon, and
-Horsewhip, rushed upon me and collared me, saying, ‘Here’s one of
-them!’—I struggled, and said, ‘One of whom? I belong to no Party, and am
-a healthy, innocent Man.’ ‘That sounds well,’ said one of them, ‘but we
-guess you are one of a Gang that, after threatening and intimidating our
-Town yesterday, broke into a lone Farmhouse last Night; so we’ll take
-you before a Magistrate.’ ‘Do so,’ said I, ‘for it will be better than
-starving in the Wood, and I shall be able to clear myself.’ So, after a
-Time, finding I made no Resistance, they gave over dragging me, and let
-me walk by myself, only keeping close about me, with an ugly Bull-dog at
-my Heels. However, I did not feel over-sure, _Cherry_, that my Story
-would satisfy the Magistrate, so when we reached a small Public-house
-where we found a Constable, I privately slipped a Half-crown into his
-Hand, and he, after a little Parley, gave it as his Opinion that I was
-an honest Man, whereon the others desisted from giving me in Charge. But
-they would by no Means admit me into the House, only brought out some
-Bread and Beer and set them at a Distance, and then went away while I
-ate and drank.
-
-“There seemed nothing to do but to turn again into the Wood; and as I
-was without Object, foot-sore, and spiritless, I paused at the first
-inviting Spot I came to, and cast myself along under a Tree. Here I
-suppose I slept a good While: when I awoke, it was with a strange Sense
-of Depression, and it occurred to me I might be plague-stricken after
-all. As if I could fly yet from the Distemper, if that were the Case, I
-resolved to be moving; for I had no Mind to die like a Rat in a Hole.
-Just then I heard Voices close on the other Side the Tree; and, eyeing
-the Speakers between the Branches, could make out a numerous Band of Men
-and a few Women, who were eating and drinking. I did not like their
-Appearance much, and thought of retreating, when one of them, seeing me
-stir, cries,—‘A Spy!’ and drags me into the Midst. I was pretty roughly
-handled till they settled it to their Minds I was a harmless Sort of a
-Fellow; and then they told me they would let me join the Crew if I would
-cast my Lot among them, and put whatever I had about me into the common
-Stock. I was no Ways minded to do this; however, I gave them a few
-Shillings, which, after a little Demur, they took, and I then was free
-of the Company. I soon had Reason to apprehend they were the Band who
-had affrighted the Townsmen the Day before, and plundered the Farm in
-the Night; and it seemed as if a select Council of them were concerting
-Something of the Sort again, though they did not invite me to
-participate. As this was not the Sort of Company I had any Mind to
-associate with, I dragged through the Afternoon and Evening as well as I
-could, mostly apart. They then began to put up Booths and Tents for the
-Night, at which I was glad to assist, rather than do Nothing; but I lay
-a little Way off, under a Tree. In the Night I felt some one lugging at
-the little Parcel of Clothing I laid my Head upon.—I hit a Blow at
-Random, which made whoever it was move off without a Word; and then I
-thought it was Time for me to move off too. I got away unperceived, and
-could not settle again all Night. When Day broke, I was in a Part of the
-Forest that was new to me.... The Sun was shining on some gnarled old
-Oaks, and along green Glades; there were Birds singing, Hares running
-across the Grass, and Wildflowers overhanging a little Brook of clear
-Water. Oh, _Cherry_! how I should have enjoyed idling in such a Place if
-I had had a quiet Mind!
-
-“I drank some Water, and washed my Face; and just then I saw some Women
-passing through the Trees, carrying large, country Loaves, and tin Cans
-of Milk. They did not see me, but set down their Burthens near a large
-Stone. Then they retreated and stood a little Way off, and presently,
-two pretty-looking Girls came tripping out of the Wood, took up the
-Loaves, emptied the Milk into brown Pitchers of their own, put some
-Silver on the Stone, and cried, ‘Here’s your Money, good People!’”
-
-[Illustration]
-
-“Then they returned into the Wood, and I followed them. I said, ‘Shall I
-carry one of your Pitchers?’ They looked affrighted, and cried, ‘Pray,
-Sir, keep off ... how do we know that you may not have the Plague?’ I
-said, ‘I assure you, it was to escape from the Plague that I came into
-the Wood, and here I seem likely to starve, though I have Plenty of
-Money.’ They looked at one another, and said, ‘If it be true, his Case
-is hard,—let us tell my Father.’ They went away, and by and by an
-elderly Man came to me from among the Trees. He questioned me very
-narrowly, and satisfying himself at length that I was both sound and
-respectable, he admitted me to their little Encampment, which consisted
-of five or six little Huts, a Family in each; besides a few Cabins the
-single Men had set up for themselves. I did the like, added my Stock to
-theirs, and continued with them all the Time their Encampment lasted,
-which was till Yesterday, when, the Weather turning cold, and the News
-of the Abatement of the Distemper having reached us, we resolved to
-return to our Homes.—I could make you quite in Love with our Camp Life,
-_Cherry_, if I chose to enlarge upon some Things, and leave others out
-of Sight,—in short, make it appear the Thing it was not. But, honestly
-speaking, though we were very thankful to buy our Safety at the Price of
-much Inconvenience, all the Romance of our Situation soon faded away,
-and we were right glad to set our Faces homewards again, even without
-being fully certified we could do so with Impunity.”
-
-“But, to what a Home did I return! The House was padlocked up, and
-Everything in the Possession of the _Lord Mayor_. And, from a Watchman
-out of Employ, who was taking Care of a House over the Way, and who did
-not know me, I heard the Circumstances of my Wife’s frightful Death. Oh,
-_Cherry_! we did not care for each other much; but I fear it was
-cowardly and cruel of me to forsake her!”
-
-—And _Mark_ laid his Head on his Arms and wept. Presently he said, “What
-to do, I know not. I shall be able, by Application to the _Lord Mayor_
-to-morrow, to get back my House and Property; but—to tell you the
-Truth—I have no great Fancy to go back there; at any Rate, till the
-House has been well fumigated. So that ... will you take Compassion on
-me, and let me return awhile to my old Quarters, _Cherry_?”
-
-Of course I said I would.
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER XIII
-
-                                  _Ghosts_
-
-
-IT was now Supper-time; and _Mark_, having lessened the Sense of his
-Troubles by telling of them, although he began by thinking he could not
-eat a Mouthful, ended by making a very hearty Supper. Indeed, he so much
-commended the one or two simple Dishes set upon Table, and spoke so
-strongly, though briefly, on the Subject of good and bad Cookery, that,
-as it had been his Disposition to be contented with Anything that was
-set before him in his unmarried Days, I set it all down to the
-Discomfort of his late Life in the Forest. Afterwards I was disposed to
-change my Mind about this, and to decide that Mistress _Blenkinsop_, who
-in their early married Days had pampered and petted him amazingly,
-(whereby his good Looks had suffered no little,) had really destroyed
-the simple Tastes which were once so becoming in him, and had made him
-Something of an Epicure.
-
-After the Table was cleared, he drew near me again, and with real
-Concern in his Manner, pressed me to tell him about my Father. I did so
-from first to last, with many Tears; adding thereunto my nursing of
-Master _Blower_. He sighed a good many Times as I went on, and after I
-had done; exclaiming at last, “What a Difference between you and me!”
-
-“All People have not the same Qualifications,” said I.
-
-“No,” said he, and seemed to think I had now hit the right Nail on the
-Head.
-
-“And _Violet_——” said he, after a Pause, and colouring deeply. “Is she
-quite well, _Cherry_?”
-
-“Quite,” I said; and could think of Nothing more to say.
-
-“I wonder,” said he in a low Voice, as if he were almost afraid to hear
-the Echo of his own Thoughts, “whether she would now have Anything to
-say to me?”
-
-I said, looking away from him, “Such Questions as that should only be
-put to the Parties concerned.”
-
-“You are right,” said he; and sat a long While silent, leaning his Head
-upon his Hand. At length, he said, “I am rich now, and she is poor,
-_Cherry_.”
-
-I said, “Riches and Poverty don’t make much Difference, _Mark_, when
-People really love one another.”
-
-“As I have loved—” said he.
-
-I said, “It is Bed-time now, and here is _Dolly_ coming in to Prayers.”
-
-The next Morning, he said he must go to the _Lord Mayor_ about his
-House. For the abandoned Effects of such Families as were entirely swept
-away and left no known Heirs, went to the _King_, who made them over to
-the _Lord Mayor_ and _Aldermen_, to be applied to the Use of the Poor;
-and _Mark’s_ Absence had made it appear that his Property was in that
-Case.
-
-Soon after he was gone, the uncommon, and, I may almost say,
-unparalleled Event occurred to me of receiving a Letter; I was so
-surprised at the Circumstance, that for the Moment, I thought it must be
-_from my Father_; or, at least, to tell me he was alive. But no, it was
-from Master _Blower_; and this was what he put in it:
-
-[Illustration]
-
-                                           “_Bucklands Hall, Berks._
-                                                   “_Oct. 27, 1665._
-
-    “Dear Mistress _Cherry_,
-
-          “On first coming down here, I was so ill at Ease and out
-    of Sorts, as to require much Care and Nursing. Heaven be
-    praised, I am now well, and I hope you are the same. Though the
-    Pinks and Gilly-flowers are pretty well over, there are still
-    some gay Autumn Flowers in the old Garden with the Iron Gate;
-    and my Brother, the Squire, and his good Wife want to see the
-    brave Mistress _Cherry_ who nursed me through the Plague. So
-    come down to us, dear _Cherry_, to-morrow, if you can. _John_,
-    the Coachman (a steady Man), will be at your Door, with a white
-    Horse and a Pillion, at Seven o’ the Clock. And be so good, if
-    it will not be inconvenient to you, as to bring my Sister-in-Law
-    a little Mace and green Ginger; and also (on my Account) one of
-    those Saffron-cakes they used to be so famous for at the Bridge
-    foot.
-
-    “Your faithful and obliged Friend,
-
-                                                  “NATHANAEL BLOWER.
-
-    “If you don’t come, you must write.”
-
-Here was an Event! An Invitation to the Country was a still more
-startling Occurrence than the Receipt of a Letter. Many of the
-Circumstances connected with it were delightful; but then, it seemed so
-strange, so awful, to go to stay with People I had never seen, ... such
-grand People, too! I that was so unused to fine Company, and did not
-know how to behave!—And Master _Blower_ knew all this, knew exactly what
-I was, and yet had prevailed with them to say they should be happy to
-see me!—Oh, his Goodness of Heart had this Time carried him too far!
-They had said so just to please him, without expecting I should go!—And
-yet, if the Lady were _very_ much put to it for Mace and green
-Ginger.... And if Master _Blower’s_ Heart were very much set upon giving
-her the Saffron-cake.... I supposed I had better go. If I found myself
-very much out of Place, I could come away the next Day.
-
-Then I thought I would go and consult _Violet_; for, in Fact, I wanted a
-little persuading to do what I very much liked. So I stepped across the
-Bridge. The Shop was open, but nobody was in it; so I went to the
-Parlour Door, and opened it.
-
-Directly I had done so, I saw _Violet_ and _Mark_, sitting close
-together, their Backs to me, and his Arm round her Waist. I closed the
-Door so softly that they did not know it had been opened, and went Home.
-A Pang shot through my Heart. It was entirely on their own Accounts, for
-I had ceased, for Years, to have Anything but a most sisterly Concern in
-him; and his Character, compared with those of the People I had most
-loved, failed to stand the Test: but I thought this was too quick, too
-sudden, to be quite comely or decent; there was too much Passion, too
-little Self-respect.
-
-I now made up my Mind without any more Hesitation, that I would go into
-the Country. I gave my parting Directions to _Dolly_, and desired her to
-let _Mark_ have Things comfortable. Then I made up my little
-Travelling-equipage, not forgetting my Commissions. Being in fresh,
-well-made Mourning, there was no Trouble or Anxiety about Dress. I quite
-enjoyed the pleasing Bustle of Preparation, though I did not expect to
-be absent longer than a Week.
-
-_Mark_ was not very punctual to the Supper-hour; and as he said Nothing
-of his Visit over the Way, I was to conclude him all Day at my _Lord
-Mayor’s_ or in _Cheapside_. But the deep Carmine of his Cheek and the
-burning Light of his Eye, told Tales. I asked him if he had dined. He
-carelessly replied yes, with a Friend. I asked him if he had seen the
-_Lord Mayor_. He said yes, it had been a more troublesome Business than
-he expected: they had asked him so many searching Questions, and had got
-the whole Story out of him. He feared he had cut a sorry Figure. At any
-Rate, he had in his own Sight. Then I asked him whether he had got back
-his House. He said yes, and had put an old Woman into it, who had
-undertaken to fumigate it. Everything seemed sealed up, but he could not
-help fearing many Things were gone. The old Place looked so dismal, he
-came away as soon as he could.
-
-After a Pause, he said, “_Cherry_, I feel a strong Inclination to get
-rid of that Concern altogether. The Situation is capital, and I shall
-get Something for the Business; but I have a great Mind to set up
-somewhere else; and though your Father’s was a much smaller Business
-than ours, yet my happiest Hours have been passed under this Roof; and
-if you like to give up the Shop to me, I will give for it whatever I get
-for my own. And you can still live with us.... I mean, we can still live
-here together. What say you, _Cherry_?”
-
-I said, “Dear _Mark_, I have no Wish to receive for these Premises what
-you get for your own. The Shop you are welcome to; the Business you will
-have to remake for yourself, for it has dwindled quite away; I shall be
-very glad to continue to live with you as long as you like to have me.”
-
-“We ... I shall _always_ like to have you, _Cherry_,” said he, “for
-there is only one Person dearer to me in the whole World.”
-
-“My Father has left me so comfortably provided,” said I, “that I shall
-never need to be a Burthen on any one.”
-
-“I am glad of it for your own Sake,” returned he; “but, as to my taking
-up the Business without paying for it, that is not to be thought of.
-Whatever I get for mine, you shall have for yours.”
-
-“So let it stand at present, at any Rate,” said I. “Henceforth, the Shop
-is yours. And, _Mark_, you will have the whole House to yourself
-to-morrow, for I am going into the Country.”
-
-“Where?” said he, opening his Eyes very wide.
-
-“To _Bucklands Hall_, in _Berkshire_; to stay with Master ... with
-Squire and Mistress _Blower_.”
-
-A broad Smile spread over his Face. “I am very glad indeed to hear of
-it, _Cherry_,” said he.—“_Very_ glad of it.”
-
-Afterwards, as we sat chatting over our Supper, we got on the Subject of
-Ghosts. He asked me if I believed in them. I said no.
-
-“Well, I do,” said he, sighing. And told me of a Story he had had from
-the Servant of Sir _Richard Hart_, who, travelling with his Master, had
-been summoned by him early one Morning, and charged to ride Home with
-all Speed, a Distance of seventeen Miles, and see how fared his
-Daughter, whom he conceited to have seen in the Night, standing at his
-Bed-foot, with her Hand pressed to her Head. The Man rode back as he was
-told; and returned with the News that the young Lady had indeed been
-taken ill about four o’Clock that Morning, but had had a Doctor with
-her, and was now pretty well again. However, in the Course of the Day
-she died.
-
-I said, “Her Father, in a Dream, may have had so strong an Impression he
-was waking, that to him it had all the Effect of being awake.”
-
-“But such a Dream as should so raise the Dead, or pre-figure their
-Death, _Cherry_,” said _Mark_, “would be as bad as if they _were_
-raised—to _us_.... I think I, for one, could not stand it.” And I saw
-then why he was afraid to return to his own House.
-
-We talked the Matter quietly over for some Time; and I asked him why, if
-the Course taken by Divine Providence in the Administration of human
-Affairs ever admitted of the Re-appearance of the Dead, the recorded
-Cases of such supposed Appearances should only be to frighten some timid
-Person, restore a Bag of Gold, or acquaint some one with what they would
-otherwise know a few Hours after. This appeared to strike him; but he
-said it might be for the Sake of Warning. I said, If for Warning, why
-not for Comfort? How glad should I have been, for Instance, to be
-informed supernaturally that all was well with my Father? He said, not
-_that_ Way, surely. I replied yes, that Way or any Way that it had
-pleased the ALMIGHTY to vouchsafe me such Knowledge. I should not be
-afraid (and there was an Intensity of Earnestness in me as I said it) to
-see either him or my Mother, either in or out of the Body.
-
-“Well,” muttered he, half under his Breath, “I wish I could feel as much
-with regard to my Wife.” And, regarding me with some Earnestness, added,
-“You’re a bold little Thing, _Cherry_!”
-
-As I wished him Good-night, he stayed me for a Moment, and said, with
-all his old Frankness and Trust, “_Violet_ and I have made Things out
-between us, _Cherry_.”
-
-I said fervently, “Then, may you both be happy. My Belief is, that she
-is likelier to make you happy now, than she was before.”
-
-“Not quite so pretty, though,” said he, rather regretfully. “However, I
-don’t mind that.—For, you see, _Cherry, I love her_!”
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER XIV
-
-                             _Riding a Pillion_
-
-
-DOLLY and I had spent great Part of the Afternoon in brushing up and
-cleaning an old black riding Skirt of my Mother’s, which it was a Wonder
-I had not cut up into Garments for the Poor. When we had cleaned it with
-Hollands, and ironed it nicely, it looked very well; for our House was
-so airy, that our Clothes never had the Moth.
-
-Precisely at the Hour named, an old Man in purple Livery rode up to the
-Door, on a grey Horse with a Pillion. _Mark_, who was very lively this
-Morning, told me he thought the Horse looked like a Bolter; but I knew
-he was only laughing at me. Then he asked me how I meant to mount; I
-said, with a Chair, to be sure. He said, “Nonsense!” and lifted me up in
-a Moment, and arranged my Riding-skirt as nicely as if he had been a
-Lady’s Groom. Then he told the old Man to be careful of me; but the old
-Coachman proved to be both dull and deaf, by reason of great Age; so
-_Mark_ whispered me that he was not afraid of his running away with me,
-if the Horse did not; finishing with “Good-bye, _Mistress Blower_.”
-
-I gave him an indignant Look, and said, “For shame, _Mark_! I have not
-deserved that!”
-
-“Well,” said he, “_I_ think you _have_.” And just then the old Man
-jerked the Rein of the old Horse, which moved off so suddenly, that I
-was fain to catch hold of the old Man’s Coat; and the last Glance I had
-of _Mark_ was a merry one.
-
-At first I felt a little bit frightened; but soon got used to my new
-Position; especially as the Horse walked till we were off the Stones.
-Still we seemed a long while getting out of _London_; and we met a great
-many People returning to it, in Carts, Waggons, and Coaches.
-
-At length we got quite out of Town, and between green Hedges, with Trees
-beyond them that were turning all manner of Colours; with only a House
-here and there, or a Wayside Inn. At one of the latter we stopped in the
-middle of the Day, to rest the Horse, and take some Refreshment. Then we
-continued our Journey, which lasted till Sunset, and the latter Part of
-which was mighty pleasant and delightsome; only I was beginning to be a
-little weary with so much shaking. But, when I saw how charming a Place
-the Country was, I wondered how People could live in Towns ... unless on
-a Bridge.
-
-At length we turned off the Highway into a Bye-road, shaded with tall
-Trees, which, after a Mile or two, brought us to a straggling Village;
-and, says the Coachman, “Mistress, now we’s in _Bucklands_.” Presently
-we passed the absolutest curiosity of a little old Church!... it seemed
-hardly bigger than a Nutmeg-grater!—and hard by it, the old Parsonage,
-with three Stone Peaks in front, and a great Pear-Tree before the Door.
-
-Then we came to a Village Green, with a Clump of large Trees in the
-Midst, that had Seats round them, whereon sat old Men, while young Men
-played Cricket, and little Boys were setting a Puppy to bark at some
-white Geese. Here we came to a great Iron Gate, at which stood a hale,
-hearty-looking Gentleman about fifty; square-built, and not over-tall;
-with a good-humoured, red, mottled Face. And, says he, coming up to me,
-as we stopped, “Mistress _Cherry_, I’m Squire _Blower_. I can guess who
-you are, though my Brother did not tell me you were such a pretty
-Girl.—Oh, the Sinner!” And lifted me off the Horse.
-
-“Well,” says he, “you don’t look quite sure that I’s I.... I _am_,
-though! Certainly, not much like _Nat_, who was always the Beauty of the
-Family. Ah! now you laugh, which was just what I wanted. My Brother said
-your silver Laugh saved his Life;—do you know what he meant by that?”
-
-We were now walking up a strait gravel Walk, between clipped Hedges, to
-an old red-brick House, with stone Facings. “I suppose, Sir,” said I,
-after thinking a little, “he meant that my laughing was as good as
-Silver to him, because it saved him the Doctor.”
-
-“That was it, no doubt,” returns he; “just such an Answer, Mistress
-_Cherry_, as I expected. I see we shall get on very well together,
-though _Nat_ is not here to help the Acquaintance.—He has gone to see
-his old Foster-mother, who is dying. People _will_ die, you know, when
-they get to eighty or ninety.”
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  An old red-brick House
-]
-
-We were now going up a Flight of shallow Steps, with Stone Ballusters,
-which led us into a Hall, paved with great Diamonds of black and white
-Marble, and hung about with Guns, Fishing-rods, and Stag’s Horns. An
-Almanack and King _Charles’s_ golden Rules were pasted against the Wall;
-and a stuffed Otter in a Glass Case hung over the great Fire-place,
-where a Wood-fire burned on the Hearth.
-
-Before this Wood-fire was spread a small _Turkey_ Carpet; and on the
-Carpet stood a Table and four heavy Chairs; in one of which sat an old
-Lady knitting. The Squire bluntly accosted her with “Mother, here’s
-Mistress _Cherry_;” on which she said, “Ho!”—laid down her Knitting, and
-looked hard at me; first over, and then through her Spectacles.
-
-“Hum!” says she, “Mistress _Cherry_, you are welcome. A good Day to you.
-Pray make yourself at Home, and be seated.”
-
-So I sat down over against her, and we looked at each other very stiff.
-She was short and fat, with round blue Eyes, and a rosy Complexion; and
-had a sharper, shrewder Look than the Squire.
-
-“I dare say she’s hungry, Mother,” says the Squire; “give her a Piece of
-Gingerbread or Something.—How soon shall we have Supper?”
-
-“You are always in such a Hurry, Father, to be eating;” says his Lady.
-“Forsooth, are we not to wait for your Brother?”
-
-And without waiting for his Answer, she took a bunch of Keys from her
-Apron-string, and unlocked a little Corner-cupboard, from which she
-brought me a Slice of rich Seed-cake, and a large Glass of Wine.
-
-“Thank you, Madam; I am not hungry,” said I.
-
-“Pooh! Child, you must be;” returns she, rather authoritatively. “Never
-be afraid of eating and drinking before Company, as if it were a Crime!”
-
-So, thus admonished, I ate and drank: though I would as lief have waited
-a little.
-
-“Are you stiff with your Ride?” says she.
-
-“A little, Madam,” said I; “for I was ne’er on a Horse before.”
-
-“Is it possible,” cries she, bursting out a-laughing. “Father, did you
-hear that?”
-
-“Famous!” said he; and they eyed me as if I were a Curiosity.
-
-“Do you know, now,” says the Squire’s Lady to me, after a while, “I
-never was in _Lunnon_!”
-
-“That seems as strange to me, Madam,” said I, “as it seems to you that I
-should never have been on Horseback.”
-
-“It _is_ strange,” says she. “Both are strange.”
-
-“And now _I’ll_ tell you Something that is strange,” says the Squire,
-“since we all seem surprising one another. Do you know, Mistress
-_Cherry_,” stepping up behind his Wife, and laying a Hand on each of her
-Shoulders, while he spoke to me over her Head, “that this little
-round-about Woman was once as pretty a Girl as you are?”
-
-“Stuff! Squire,” says his Lady.
-
-“Fact!” persisted he. “Nay, prettier!”
-
-“Not a Word of Truth in it,” says she, shaking him off. “I was all very
-well,—nothing more. Come, Father, here’s _Gatty_ going to spread the
-Cloth for Supper, which you’ll be glad of. But, _Gatty_, in the first
-Place shew Mistress _Cherry_ to her Chamber, ... she will perhaps like
-to dress a little. You’ll excuse my attending you, my Dear; the Stairs
-try my Breath.”
-
-I followed _Gatty_ up Stairs to the prettiest Room that ever was! When I
-came down, the Cloth was spread, and the Squire’s Lady signed me to the
-Chair over against her, and was just going to say Something, when,
-crossing between me and the Sun, I saw the Shadow of a Man against the
-Wall, and knew it for Master _Blower’s_. Ah! what came over me at that
-Moment, to make me so stupid, I know not.—Perhaps that saucy Saying of
-_Mark’s_ ... but whatever it was, instead of my going up to Master
-_Blower_, when he came in, which he did the next Moment, and asking him
-simply and straitforwardly how he was, I must needs colour all over like
-a Goose, and wait till he came quite up to me, without having a Word to
-say for myself.
-
-“Ah, _Cherry_!” says he, taking my Hand quite frankly, “how glad I am to
-see you! Are you quite well?”
-
-And, the Moment I heard his pleasant Voice, I was quite comfortable
-again, and felt myself at Home for the first Time.
-
-“Quite, thank you, Sir,” said I, “and I hope you are better than you
-were.”
-
-“Well, now that civil Things have passed on both Sides,” said the
-Squire, who had already seated himself, “come and say Grace, _Nat_, for
-here’s a Couple of beautiful Fowls getting cold.”
-
-—Well, the Supper was as pleasant as could be, and it was growing quite
-dusk before the Table was cleared, yet the Squire would not hear of
-having Candles; so then his Lady desired _Gatty_ to carry Lights into
-the green Parlour, “Where,” says she, “I and this young Person will
-retire, and be good enough Company for each other, I dare say.”
-
-Oh, I’m a young Person, am I? thought I. So I followed her into the
-green Parlour, where she settled herself in an easy Chair, with her Feet
-on a Footstool, and made me sit facing her. “Now,” says she, “the Men
-can prose by themselves, and we’ll have a Coze by _our_selves. Pray,
-Child, how was it you came to think of nursing my Brother?”
-
-So I began to tell her how I went to him in Hope of his telling me how
-to find my Father; but then, she wanted to know how my Father came to be
-missing, so I had to go further back. And then I could not help putting
-in by the Way how good and excellent a Man he was, how tender a Father,
-how loving a Husband, which brought in my Mother. But I checked myself,
-and begged the Lady’s Pardon for entering on that, which I knew could no
-Ways interest her.—“Nay, let me hear it all,” says she, “I shall like to
-hear Something about your Mother.” So then I told her of her holy Life,
-and saintlike End; and of Master _Blower’s_ invaluable Ministrations,
-which of course interested her a good deal; and indeed I saw a Tear
-steal down her Cheek, while I kept mine down as well as I could. Then I
-went on to the Plague, and my Father’s Heaviness of Spirits; and his
-going forth and never coming back, and my going in quest of him, and all
-the Events of that terrible Day, which I could not go over without
-crying very heartily. She wept too; yet cried, “Go on, go on!” So then I
-got to Master _Blower_, and the sleeping Watchman, and my getting into
-the House, and going from Room to Room, and hearing him yawn,—which made
-her laugh; though she cried again when she heard of his praying, and of
-his Sufferings that fearful Night and many Days after. At the End of
-all, she got up, put her Arms about my Neck, and kissed me. “_Cherry_,”
-says she, “you’re an excellent Creature!”—Just then, a great Bell began
-to ring,—“That’s the Prayer-bell!” says she. “We will return to the
-Hall, my Dear.”
-
-So we returned to the Hall, much more at our Ease together than when we
-left it. And there, standing in a Row, were half a Dozen Men and Women
-Servants, and the Table had Candles and a large Bible on it. Master
-_Blower_ read, and then prayed: had I not been so tired, I could have
-wished him to go on all Night! Then we dispersed to our several
-Chambers; and I had so much to think about that it seemed as though I
-should never get to sleep: however, I did at last.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-                               CHAPTER XV
-
-                           _The Squire’s Garden_
-
-
-BEFORE I went to Bed, I peeped out of my Window, and saw the full Moon
-shining over the broad gravel Walks and Fishponds; and I thought how
-much I should like to go round the Garden before Breakfast. However,
-when I woke in the Morning, I feared I had been oversleeping myself, so
-dressed in a great Hurry, and went down Stairs. There I found two Maids
-flooding the great Hall with Pails of Water, and they told me we were to
-breakfast in the green Parlour, but not for an Hour yet. So I strayed
-out into the Garden, where were still a good many Flowers, though the
-Season was so late, backed by Evergreen Hedges, and Rows of tall Trees
-that were turning yellow and scarlet; and it seemed to me just like the
-Garden of _Eden_.
-
-So I went on and on, thinking it mighty pleasant, and wondering what
-might be the Names of some of the Flowers; and at length I came to a
-Bowling-green, of wonderful fine Turf, between high Horn-beam Hedges;
-and having a Sun-dial at one End, and a little brick Summer-house faced
-with Stone at the other. Into the Summer-house I went; and there, with
-all his Books and Papers about him, sat Master _Blower_ writing.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  A Bowling-Green of wonderful Fine Turf.
-]
-
-“Ah, _Cherry_!” says he, holding out his Hand, “so you’ve found out my
-Snuggery! Have they sent you to summon me to Breakfast?”
-
-“No, Sir,” said I, “I did not know you were here.” And turned away.
-
-“Stop a Minute,” says he, hastily putting up his Papers, “and we will
-take a Turn together round this wonderful Garden. The Garden of your
-_Dream, Cherry_.”
-
-I said how very odd it was I should have dreamed about it,—the Garden of
-my Dream being so exactly like the Reality.
-
-“Why, you simple Girl,” says he, laughing; “because I must have
-described it to you before, though you and I had forgotten it!”
-
-I felt quite sure in my own Mind that he had not.
-
-“Well,” says he, setting out with me along the Bowling-green, “what’s
-the News, _Cherry_? The Plague, you say, is abating, but not gone. Have
-you seen or heard Anything of my poor People?”
-
-I said yes. Mistress _Peach_ had come to me on my sending for her the
-Evening before I left; and had told me how Things were going on.
-
-“And how _are_ they going on?” said he.
-
-“Well, Sir, it would be a poor Compliment to you, if they were going on
-as well in your Absence, as in your Presence.”
-
-“That’s true,” says he, looking grave; “but, for Particulars.”
-
-“Many Persons in Trouble of one kind or another, knock at your Door; and
-when they find they cannot see you, go away in Tears.”
-
-“Poor Souls!” said he, much moved, “I will return to them shortly. I
-think I am almost well enough now, _Cherry_. They think I am neglecting
-them?”
-
-“No, Sir, they are very sorry you need recruiting; but they are sorry
-for themselves too.”
-
-“It’s a very nice Point,” says he musingly, “when we ought to lie by. I
-believe, had I not left Town when I did, I might have been dead now—and
-yet, perhaps I was like a Soldier deserting his Post.”
-
-I said, “No, Sir, you were liker to a Soldier carried off the
-Battlefield to the Hospital.”
-
-“Thank you, _Cherry_,” says he, taking my Hand and drawing it under his
-Arm. We had now reached the End of the Bowling-green; but instead of
-turning into the Garden, we continued walking up and down.
-
-“And what else?” says he. “Come, let me hear all.”
-
-“Well, Sir,” said I, “there’s not much more to tell——”
-
-“Something, though, I can see!” said he. “Come! out with it, _Cherry_!”
-
-“Sir,” said I, “it’s of no Use for us to trouble and vex ourselves about
-what wicked People will say of us in mere wantonness.”
-
-“Sometimes, though, we may hear the Truth from an Enemy,” says he. “And
-what do wicked, wanton People say of me?”
-
-“Why, Sir,—some very evil-minded, malapert Person hath writ on your
-Church-door, ‘A Pulpit to Let!’”
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  The Squire’s Garden
-]
-
-“The Rascal!” said he hastily, and colouring very red. “Why now, did I
-not keep on, Sabbaths and Week-days, till the Plague-swellings were
-actually in my Throat, though my Congregation often consisted of only
-two or three old Women? Is not this enough to provoke a Man, _Cherry_?”
-
-I said, “Yes, Sir,—only there’s no Use in being provoked.”
-
-“None, none,” says he, much perturbed,—“GOD forgive me for it!—I can
-hardly have Patience, though, with them.”
-
-I said, “Dear Sir, you must have Nothing _but_ Patience with them.”
-
-“You are right, you are right,” says he, cooling, but still much moved.
-“Ill or well, I must go back to them forthwith.... The Fact is, there is
-a Matter I would gladly have settled here, a little at my Leisure.—But,
-Duty before all! So, I’ll go back, _Cherry_, to mine.”
-
-I smiled a little as I said, “Somebody has been doing Duty for you, the
-last Week or ten Days, Sir.”
-
-“Who?” cried he.
-
-I said, “An Independent Minister.”
-
-A complex Kind of Expression crossed his Face; for a Moment he looked
-pained and provoked, and then burst out a-laughing.
-
-“GOD bless the worthy Fellow!” cries he, “I’ll do him a good Turn if I
-can, the first Time he’ll let me! ‘The good LORD accept every one that
-prepareth his Heart to seek GOD, the LORD GOD of his Fathers, even
-though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the
-Sanctuary!’—Well, _Cherry_, I must go! and that forthwith,—I would fain
-have tarried here while your Visit lasted.”
-
-I looked quite blank at the Idea of being left behind; and said, “Must
-I, then, stay?”
-
-“Why,” cried he, “what is to prevent you? Your Visit is not to _me,
-Cherry_!”
-
-I said, “Oh, Sir, but ...” and stopped, for I did not know whether it
-were right to say I should feel so lonely without him. But the Tears
-came into my Eyes.
-
-“I hope,” says he, in his kindest Way, “you will stay and have a very
-pleasant Visit.”
-
-I said, “It won’t,—it can’t be pleasant now.”
-
-“_Cherry_,” he said, yet more affectionately, “we shall soon meet
-again.... You shake your Head.—Well, our Lives are not in our own
-keeping, certainly, and may be called in the next Minute, here as well
-as in _London_. And I should not like to die away from my Post. But,
-_Cherry_, since you are inexpressibly dear to me, and I think I am, in a
-less Degree, dear to you, why, when we meet next, should we ever part
-again?—Nay, hear me, _Cherry_! for I have long meant to say this, though
-not quite so soon.... I thought it would seem so abrupt; I wanted to
-bring you to it by Degrees, lest I should get an Answer I did not like.
-For, indeed, _Cherry_, I know how much too old I am for you, how
-thoroughly unworthy of you.”
-
-I could not stand this, and cried, “Oh, how _can_ you say such Things,
-Sir! Unworthy of _me_, indeed! when any Woman——”
-
-Might be proud to have you, was my Thought, but I did not say it.
-
-“_Cherry_,” says he, “there was never——” And just at that Moment a Man
-shouted, “High!” at the Top of his Voice, and then, “Breakfast!”
-
-“We’re keeping them waiting,” said I, slipping my Hand from his Arm,
-“and you’ve left your Papers all blowing about in the Summer-house.” And
-so, ran off to the House.
-
-Fain would I not have gone straight to Breakfast, but there was no Help
-for it; and the Squire kept loading my Plate, and yet saying I ate
-Nothing. He and his Lady were wondrous sorry to hear Master _Blower_ say
-he must return to Town the next Day; and looked rather askance at me for
-having brought down any Tidings that should summon him thither. After
-Breakfast, however, he took his Brother aside to explain to him how
-needful was his Return to his Parish; and Mistress _Blower_, bringing
-forth an immense Quantity of Patchwork of very intricate Contrivance,
-said, “Now, you and I will do a good Morning’s Work:”—and told me it was
-a Fancy of hers to furnish a little Bed-chamber with Patchery, lined
-with Pink, and fringed with White. However, Master _Blower_ put a Check
-to all this, as far as my Help went, by coming in and saying that as
-this was to be his last Day in the Country, he wanted to take a long
-Walk with me, and shew me the finest View in the County. Mistress
-_Blower_ made one or two Objections, which he summarily over-ruled; so,
-in a very few Minutes, off we were walking together. And first, without
-any Reference to what had been said before Breakfast, he took me round
-the Village Green, and into the Church and Churchyard; and made me look
-over the Parsonage Gate. I said, “Dear me, if I were you, Sir, how much
-sooner I would be Parson here than in _Whitechapel_!”
-
-“Would you?” cries he. “Oh, but this is a very poor Living!”
-
-I said, “I did not know you cared much for Money.”
-
-“Well,” he said, “not to spend on myself, but as a Means of Usefulness.
-And, oh _Cherry_! there is so much Wretchedness in _London_, that one
-cannot, after all, relieve!—I’ll tell you what I do,” continues he,
-turning down a green Lane with me, “as a general Rule I give away half.
-That was _Zaccheus’_ Measure, you know. But, as a single Man, I have
-found the other Half a great deal too much for me, so I give away all I
-can of it in Casualties ... just to please myself, as it were. But I
-don’t consider this Sub-division imperative; therefore, when you and I
-commence Housekeeping together, which I hope will be in a _very_ little
-While, we will spend the full Half. Will that suffice you?”
-
-“No indeed, Sir,” said I, “I shall be very sorry indeed if I add to your
-Expenses so much as that. I would rather give the Poor another Mouthful
-than deprive them of one; and as I shall only cost you just what I eat
-and wear, I hope it won’t make much Difference.”
-
-“You’re a comical Girl,” says he. “But, _Cherry_, I’m sorry to say, that
-rambling old House of mine is now so completely out of Repair, as to be
-unfit for a Lady’s Occupation. We must paint it and point it, and mend
-the Roof.”
-
-“Well, but,” said I, “my Father has left me six hundred Pounds, which
-will do all that very well.”
-
-“Six hundred Pounds!” says he, opening his Eyes very wide, and then
-laughing. “Why, you’ve a Fortune, _Cherry_! How could the dear, good Man
-have saved it? I thought his Business seemed quite dwindled away.”
-
-“He had some Money with my Mother, Sir,” said I. “And an Uncle left him
-a Legacy. Besides this Money, which Master _Benskin_ and Master
-_Braidfoot_ pay Interest for, the House is mine for a long Term; and
-_Mark_ means to buy the Business; so that I hope I shall not be very
-expensive to you.”
-
-“Well,” says he, “it will be for After-consideration whether we repair
-the Parsonage at once or not. All shall be as you wish it, _Cherry_.”
-And then we went on talking of this and that till we came to a Seat
-under a Tree; and there we sat and talked all the Rest of the Morning;
-for he did not care much for going on to see the Prospect.
-
-After Dinner, it became Master _Blower’s_ Object to persuade me to name
-a very early Day indeed—even that Day Week; and, though I could hardly
-endure to think of so sudden a Change, and thought it would seem so
-strange and so unwomanly to Everybody, yet the main Thing that wrought
-upon me was what I kept to myself; namely, the Danger he was going to
-incur in returning to his Duties before the Infection was over. And I
-thought how I should reproach myself if he fell ill, and died for want
-of my Nursing. But then, again, it would seem so outrageous to the
-Squire and his Lady.... Not at all, he said, they knew all about his
-wanting to marry me before ever they sent for me, and the Squire’s Lady
-had at first been very cool about it; but before we parted at Night, I
-had quite won her over; and she said to him when the Door closed upon
-me, “Well, _Nat_, you may marry that Girl as soon as you like.”
-
-I could hardly help laughing.—What was I to do? I said, oh, very well, I
-supposed they must all have their own Way,—I would try to be not very
-miserable about it. So, when we went in to Supper, Master _Blower_ made
-no Secret of what we had been talking about; and Mistress _Blower_
-kissed me, and so did the Squire, and we had a wonderful pleasant
-Supper. When Master _Blower_ was taking leave of me, he asked me if I
-had any Message to send Home. It then struck me I must send Word to
-_Mark_ and _Dolly_ how soon my Condition was going to be changed,—but,
-what could I say?—I had scarce written a Letter in my Life; least of all
-to _Mark_; and could not for the Life of me think of any Way of telling
-him the News, sufficiently round-about to prevent its seeming abrupt
-after all. So, thought I, least said, soonest mended: and, sitting down
-to Pen, Ink, and Paper, I wrote in my smallest, neatest Hand,—
-
-    “Dear _Mark_,
-
-          “I’m going to be Mistress _Blower_.”
-
-And sealed it up and directed it. Master _Blower_ said, “Short, if not
-sweet!” and promised it should be faithfully delivered.
-
-When he was gone, the Patchwork was put away, and the Wedding-dresses
-sent for. Dear Mistress _Blower_ was as kind as a Mother to me, though
-her Husband was only five Years older than mine. Indeed she and the
-Squire looked upon me quite as a Girl, though I told them over and over
-again I was not. Though they called each other Father and Mother, they
-had never had but one Child, which died at three Years old; but I
-suppose it was always in their Thoughts.
-
-What a happy Week that was!—though Master _Blower_ was away. On the
-Whole, his Absence was a good Thing: it gave me Time to steady a little,
-and feel that it was not a Dream that I was going to live always within
-the Sound of his dear Voice. And, as there was much Sewing to do, I had
-Plenty of Time to think of it. Mistress _Blower_ gave me my
-Wedding-clothes,—we had Post-horses to the old Coach, and went to buy
-them at the County Town. The Gown was white Silk; the Hat trimmed with a
-Wreath of very little pink Roses round the Crown; and I had a
-cherry-colour Habit for travelling. Master _Blower_ said he did not
-deserve such a pretty Bride,—but that was his kind Way of speaking. I
-only wish I were better worth his having!
-
-—We went away from the Church-door,—as happy a Bridegroom and Bride as
-ever rode a Pillion. When we had got out of Everybody’s Sight, my
-Husband said, “How are you getting on, Mistress _Blower_?” I said, “I am
-smiling so that I am quite glad there’s Nobody to see me.” “May the Rest
-of your Life be all Smiles and no Tears, _Cherry_,” says he,—“with GOD’S
-Blessing, it shall be so if I can make it so!” “Ah!” said I, “I’m
-content to take the Rough and the Smooth together, since I shall
-henceforth share them with you, Sir.” “Dearest _Cherry_,” says he, “you
-really must leave off calling me _Sir_!”
-
-[Illustration]
-
-“I don’t know that I can, Sir,” said I, “but I’ll try.”
-
-Though the Journey was delightsome, yet towards the latter End of it,
-every Mile of the Road became less and less pleasant, till at length we
-got into the Tide of People, on Horse and on Foot, setting in towards
-_London_. Then, how strange it seemed to me that I was not going back to
-the Bridge! where I had lived all the Days of my Life till within the
-last Week! I began to tremble a little; and the Idea of the great old
-roomy, gloomy House in _Whitechapel_, with no bright, sparkling Water to
-look out upon, became rather oppressive to me, till I thought how Master
-_Blower’s_ continual Presence would light it up. The Streets now
-becoming thronged, he pressed my Arm tighter to him and bade me hold on
-close; and I felt he was all the World to me, be the House what it
-would. But when we reached it, what a Difference! The whole Front had a
-fresh Coat of Paint, which made it wondrous lightsome and cheerful; the
-Door-step was fresh whitened, the Door fresh varnished, the Knocker
-fresh polished, and Mistress _Peach_ standing on the Step with a new Cap
-plaited close round her sweet, pleasant Face, and dressed in a new
-grass-green Gown. I could not help kissing her as I ran in; she said,
-“GOD bless you, Mistress!” with hearty Cordiality, and followed me from
-Room to Room. Everything had been cleaned up, and she told me, laughing,
-that though she had had Plenty of Helps, it had been the hardest Week’s
-Work she had ever had in her Life. The old green Bed-furniture had given
-Place to new white Dimity; there was a Lady’s Pincushion on the
-Toilette, with “May you be happy!” in minikin Pins; and a Beau-pot of
-Flowers on the Window-seat. “All that is Mistress _Violet’s_ doing,”
-said _Dorcas_; “she has not left the House half an Hour, I assure you,
-and her Needle went in and out as fast as could be when she was
-finishing the last Muslin Blind. Oh, she has been very busy, has
-Mistress _Violet_! ’Twas she set out the Supper Table with the Flowers,
-and Sweet-meats, and Pound-cake.”
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
-                              CHAPTER XVI
-
-                             _The Burning City_
-
-
-NEXT Day, the Holiday of Life was over, its Duties re-commenced. Master
-_Blower_ had an Accumulation of Business to attend to, and I had Plenty
-to do about the House. Before the End of the Week, I was immersed in
-Cares that were Pleasures to me, inasmuch as they lightened his own. But
-I could not resist paying a Visit to the Bridge, and spending an Hour in
-the dear old House, and another, afterwards, with _Violet_. She and
-_Mark_ came to sup with us. I found they were not going to marry till
-six Months were out, which was full quick, after all; but I was thankful
-they would wait so long. A Change seemed coming over _Mark_; he was
-steady, composed, attentive to Business, and far pleasanter, whether
-lively or sad, than in his earlier Days. As to _Violet_, she was
-infinitely softened, and the old Spirit of Coquetry seemed quite to have
-burned out. We did not see them often, but Master _Blower_ always
-received them kindly, and they seemed to consider it a Privilege as well
-as a Pleasure to come to us.
-
-Thus, the Winter wore on: the Plague was stayed; and though it was
-common to meet in the Streets Men in their Nightcaps, limping, or with
-their Throats bound up, no one thought of getting out of their Way, for
-the Infection had spent itself. And Persons that were Strangers to each
-other might be heard exchanging Congratulations on the improved State of
-Things, now that Houses and Shops were re-opening, the Weeds beginning
-to disappear from the Thoroughfares, and Men no longer walked along the
-Middle of the Streets, but on the Foot-pavements.
-
-My dear Husband endeavoured to impress the Hearts and Minds of his
-People, in Season and out of Season, with a Sense of the Mercy that had
-preserved them; but, I am sorry to say, with very little permanent
-Effect. True it is, at first the Ground was broken up, and the Clods
-were soft, and the good Seed that was cast in seemed likely to fructify;
-but alas, the hot Sun of worldly Temptation soon hardened the Ground and
-burnt the Seed up, and People that had almost miraculously escaped the
-general Judgment, seemed little better than they were before. This
-depressed my dear Husband very much; but, instead of relaxing his
-Efforts, he only redoubled them; and he said I strengthened his Hands.
-
-There was also a great deal of Distress, owing to the general Stagnation
-of Trade, and the vast Numbers of People thrown out of Employ. So that,
-though we did all we could, it was heart-rending to witness the Misery
-in some of the lower Districts of our Parish. We pinched ourselves to
-help them, voluntarily giving up such and such Things at our Table; and
-this with such Cheerfulness that I really believe our Self-privations
-gave us more actual Enjoyment than if we had ate the Fat and drank the
-Sweet to our Hearts’ Desire. And once or twice it remarkably happened
-that when we had a little exceeded in this Way, and had supplied thereby
-the needs of a more than ordinary Number, a great Hamper would arrive
-from Mistress _Blower_, full of Game, Poultry, Eggs, Butter, Brawn,
-Hams, Tongues, and Everything that was good. Often we talked over that
-sweet Place the Hampers came from; and it seemed to me that my Husband
-more and more inclined towards the Country; especially as his Throat had
-never quite recovered the Effects of the Plague, and he found he could
-not make himself heard throughout the remoter Parts of his large Church
-without Difficulty. Quite at the End of the Summer, the old Incumbent of
-_Bucklands_ Parsonage died; and as the living was in the Squire’s Gift,
-and he had some Notion his Brother would like it, he wrote to offer it
-to him. My Husband asked my Mind about it; I said I should like it of
-all Things, if he could be content with so small and quiet a Field of
-Action. He said, yes, the Time had been when it had been otherwise with
-him—the harder the Work the greater the Pleasure, especially as carrying
-some Sense of Glory in the Victory over it; but it was not so with him
-now: he could be content with trying to do good on a small Scale;
-especially as he had not been quite so successful on the larger Field of
-Action as he had hoped and expected.
-
-“Could I preach like _Apollos_,” continued he, “to what Good, to the
-Half of my Congregation, who cannot catch one Word in ten? So that, in
-Fact, I preach to a small Congregation already. And I’ve no Mind to
-receive the Pay without doing the Work. There’s no Fear, _Cherry_, of my
-not making myself audible in _Bucklands_ Church!—Besides, do you know I
-fancy I have a little domestic Mission there. My dear, good Brother, who
-has dozed under Doctor _Bray_ for so many Years, has languished under a
-spiritual Dearth. He is now getting in Years, and I think I may do
-Something for him—you know he told you he thought my Sermons were _the
-real Thing_.”
-
-“He said,” replied I, “that you not only hit the right Nail on the Head,
-but hammered it well in.”
-
-After some further Talk, which only went to prove how completely we were
-of a Mind on the Matter, the Letters were written and sent—to accept the
-one Living and resign the other. That was on the Second of _September_.
-The same Night, broke out that dreadful Fire, which lasted three Days
-and three Nights, and destroyed fifteen of the twenty-six City Wards,
-including four hundred Streets and Lanes, and thirteen thousand Houses.
-Oh, what a dreadful Calamity! We were in Bed, a little after Ten, when
-Shrieks and Cries of “Fire!” awoke us; and my dear Husband put his Head
-forth of the Window and asked where it was. A Man running along
-answered, “On or at the Foot of _London Bridge_!” Then our Hearts failed
-us for _Violet_ and _Mark_, and all our old Friends; and we dressed and
-went forth, for I could not be stayed from accompanying Master _Blower_.
-But before we could reach the Bridge Foot, we found Access to it cut
-off, both by Reason of the Crowd and of the Flames: the only Comfort
-was, that the Fire kept off the Bridge. There was so much Tumult and
-Pressure that we could only keep on the Skirts of the Crowd, where we
-hung about without doing any Good for some Hours.
-
-The next Morning, we were in Hope of hearing the Fire had been got
-under; instead of which, the whole _Bankside_ was wrapped in Flames, and
-all the Houses from the Bridge Foot, and all _Thames Street_, were lying
-in Ashes. The People seemed all at Pause, gazing on, without stirring
-Hand or Foot, and those that were personal Sufferers were venting their
-Grief in Cries and Lamentations. But we could not find that any Life had
-yet been lost; and the Fire kept off the Bridge.
-
-When I went Home at Dusk, it was to pray for the poor Sufferers, and
-then to muse how far the Calamity might extend. Supper was on Table, but
-I had no Mind to eat; which was all the better, as my Husband presently
-brought in a poor, weeping Family who had lost Everything, and had not
-touched a Morsel all Day. We gave them a good Meal, and Shelter for the
-Night. They slept, but we could not. There was no Need of Candles all
-that Night, which was as light as Day for ten Miles round. The Fire was
-now spreading all along the South Part of the City, leaping from House
-to House, and Street to Street, for the very Air seemed ignited; Showers
-of Sparks and Ashes were falling in every Direction, and the Pavement
-was growing almost too hot to tread upon. My Husband kept bringing in
-new Refugees as long as our House would hold them, and I was too busy
-caring for them to have Leisure to go forth, even had it been safe; but
-each New-comer brought fresh Tidings of the Desolation, which was now
-extending to Churches, public Monuments, Hospitals, Companies’ Halls, as
-though it would carry all before it. We now began to be in some Alarm
-for ourselves; and to consider what we should do if it came our Way; and
-now we experienced the Convenience of having but little Treasure that
-Moth, Rust, or Fire could injure, for when Master _Blower_ had made up a
-small Packet of Papers and ready Money that we could readily carry about
-us, there was Nothing left for the Destroyer to consume but our poor
-Furniture and the House over our Heads. Very opportunely, at this Time
-came to our Door a _Berkshire_ Countryman with one of the good Squire’s
-Hampers full of Eatables. I never saw a poor Fellow look so scared! He
-got a good View of the Calamity from a Distance, and then set his Face
-homewards in as great a Hurry as if the Flames were in Chase of him. The
-Streets were now full of Carts loaded with Moveables, which their Owners
-were conveying out of Town; giving Way to the Calamity rather than
-seeking to arrest it, which, indeed, it was now vain to attempt, though
-I think Something might have been done at first. _St. Paul’s_ was now in
-a Blaze; the great Stones exploding with intense Heat, and the melted
-Lead running along the Gutters. This Night, also, we got scarce any
-Rest.
-
-[Illustration:
-
-  S^t Paul’s was now in a Blaze
-]
-
-The next Morning, while I was overlooking my Stores, and considering how
-I should best husband them for my poor Inmates, in comes _Mark_, his
-Face blackened, his Hair full of Ashes, his Clothes singed in many
-Places, and his Shoes nearly burnt off his Feet.
-
-“Thank GOD, you are safe, then!” cries he, catching hold of both my
-Hands. “The Sky looked so fiery in this Quarter during the Night, that
-_Violet_ and I were in dreadful Fear for you, and I started at Daybreak,
-and came here by making a great Round, to see how it fared with you. And
-_Violet_ bids me say that she has not forgotten your Father’s and
-Mother’s Kindness to her Father and Mother when they were burned out of
-House and Home, nor how she and you were put together in the same
-Cradle; and it will make her and me, dear _Cherry_, unspeakably happy to
-receive you and Master _Blower_ under the very same Roof, should you be
-burnt out of your own.”
-
-I said, “Dear _Mark_, that is so like you and _Violet_! Just the
-Kindness I should have expected! Believe me, we shall thankfully accept
-it, if there be Need. But at present the Fire is all about us, yet comes
-not to us. We have made up our little Parcel of Treasures, (a little
-one, indeed, _Mark_!) and are ready to start at a Minute’s Notice,
-trusting to a good GOD to spare our Lives. This old House, if it once
-catches, will burn like Tinder; meanwhile, come and see how many it
-holds.”
-
-So I led him from Room to Room, and shewed him Mothers nursing their
-Infants, Children eating Bread and Milk, and old People still sleeping
-heavily. He was greatly interested and impressed. “What a good Soul you
-are!” said he,—“I can give you no Notion of the Scenes of Misery on the
-Outskirts through which I passed on my Way here. People huddled in
-Tents, or lying under Hedges, or on Heaps of Litter and broken
-Furniture, without a Morsel of Bread or a Cup of Milk, yet none
-begging!... I saw a few Bread-carts and Milk-people coming up to them as
-I passed along, but many had no Money, not even a Penny, to buy a
-Breakfast. I had filled my Purse, _Cherry_, with all that was in the
-Till, before I set out; but you see there’s not much in it now——”
-
-And he pulled out an empty Purse, with a Smile that showed he was well
-pleased with the Way its Contents had gone. Then we shook Hands
-heartily, and parted.
-
-To the loud Crackling of Flames and Crash of falling Buildings, was now
-added the blowing up of Houses with Gunpowder, which, indeed, made the
-Neighbourhood of them very dangerous to Bystanders, but checked the
-Progress of the Fire. However, Nothing effectual could have been done,
-had it not pleased ALMIGHTY GOD to stay his Judgment by abating the high
-Wind, which fell all at once; whereby the Flames ceased to spread,
-though the glowing Ruins continued to burn.
-
-The Crisis being now past, we ceased to be in Apprehension for
-ourselves, and devoted all our Attention to the poor, bereft People
-under our Care. Some of these were fetched away by their Country
-Friends; sooner or later all dispersed; and then we went out into the
-Fields adjoining the City, to afford what little Help we could. But oh!
-the Desolation! To attempt to assuage that Accumulation of Destitution
-by our trivial Means seemed like essaying to subdue the Fire with a Cup
-of Water: yet we know that every Little helps; and that even a Cup of
-Water, to the thirsty Man who drinks it, quenches not his Thirst the
-less, that Thousands beside are parched with Drought. And thus, by
-Analogy, concerning the general Amount of human Suffering surrounding us
-at all Times, which the wife of a _Whitechapel_ Parson is perhaps as
-well qualified to speak of as any one else—We need not be discouraged
-from aiding any, because we cannot succour all; since the Relief
-afforded is as grateful to him who has it, as though _all_ were
-relieved, which it is not GOD’S Will that any should have Power to
-accomplish.
-
-By the End of the Month this terrible Calamity was over-past; at least,
-as far as we had Anything to do with it, though we continued to give
-Shelter to poor, ruined Householders as long as the Parsonage was our
-own. The Gentleman who succeeded my dear Husband seemed a benevolent
-Sort of Man, a little pompous, maybe, but tenderly disposed towards the
-Poor.
-
-And now, Everything being settled, we sold some of our old Furniture,
-and sent down the Rest, with Mistress _Peach_, by the Wagon. And my dear
-Husband and I entered _Bucklands_ exactly as we had left it, and on the
-very same Horse; I in my cherry-colour Habit, that was as fresh as on my
-Wedding-day. And here we have been ever since; and he calls me his right
-Hand, and says my Attention to all his secular Affairs leaves his Mind
-at Liberty to pursue his Duties and Studies without Distraction—and that
-I understand the Poor even better than he does—and that I am his best
-Counsellor, his dearest Friend, his pleasantest Companion, his darling
-_Cherry_!—Yes; he calls me, and I believe he thinks me all this: and as
-for _my_ being happy in _him_ ... I should think so, indeed!
-
-
-
-
-                                 FINIS
-
-
-
-
-                 _Printed by_ BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
-                         _Edinburgh and London_
-
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- ● Transcriber’s Notes:
-    ○ The captions for the illustrations don’t exactly match the
-      captions given in the List of Illustrations.
-    ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
-    ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected.
-    ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only
-      when a predominant form was found in this book.
-    ○ The use of a carat (^) before one or more letters shows they were
-      intended to be superscripts, as in S^t Bartholomew or L^{d.}
-      Egemont.
-    ○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cherry & Violet, by Anne Manning
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-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cherry & Violet, by Anne Manning
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Cherry & Violet
-       A Tale of the Great Plague
-
-Author: Anne Manning
-
-Contributor: William Holden Hutton
-
-Illustrator: John Jellicoe
-             Herbert Railton
-
-Release Date: January 2, 2020 [EBook #61080]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHERRY & VIOLET ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by MWS, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-file was produced from images generously made available
-by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-</pre>
-
-
-<div  class='figcenter id001'>
-<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c000' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c001'>
-    <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_I'>I</span><span class='xlarge'>CHERRY &amp; VIOLET</span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-
-<div id='title'  class='figcenter id002'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_III'>III</span>
-<img src='images/title.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c000' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='box1'>
-
-<p class='c002'>&nbsp;</p>
-<div class='box2'>
-
-<div>
-  <h1 class='c003'><span class='xxlarge'><span class='sc'>Cherry &amp; Violet:</span></span><br /> <span class='xlarge'><i>A Tale of the </i><b>Great Plague</b></span></h1>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-<div class='lg-container-r c004'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'><i>Illvstrations by</i></div>
-      <div class='line'><b>John Jellicoe</b></div>
-      <div class='line'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&amp;</div>
-      <div class='line'><b>Herbert Railton</b></div>
-      <div class='line'><i>Introdvction by</i> The Rev<sup>d.</sup> <b>W·H·Hutton</b></div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c005'>&nbsp;</p>
-<div class='box3'>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-  <div class='nf-center'>
-    <div><span class='large'><span class='sc'><i>London</i></span></span></div>
-    <div><span class='xlarge'>John C. <span class='sc'>Nimmo</span></span></div>
-    <div><span class='large'>·MDCCCXCVII· </span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-
-</div>
-<p class='c002'><span class='pageno' id='Page_IV'>IV</span><a id='motto'></a></p>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c000' />
-</div>
-<p class='c005'>&nbsp;</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i004.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div id='frontis'  class='figcenter id004'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_VI'>VI</span>
-<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='large'><i>Cherry</i></span> and <span class='large'><i>Violet</i></span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c000' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
-    <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_VII'>VII</span><span class='xxlarge'>CHERRY &amp; VIOLET</span></div>
-    <div class='c000'><span class='large'>A TALE OF</span></div>
-    <div><span class='xlarge'>THE GREAT PLAGUE</span></div>
-    <div class='c006'><span class='small'>BY</span></div>
-    <div class='c000'><span class='large'>THE AUTHOR OF “MARY POWELL” AND “THE</span></div>
-    <div><span class='large'>HOUSEHOLD OF SIR THOS. MORE”</span></div>
-    <div class='c006'><span class='small'><i>WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY</i></span></div>
-    <div class='c000'><span class='large'>THE REV. W. H. HUTTON, B.D.</span></div>
-    <div><span class='small'>FELLOW OF S. JOHN’S COLLEGE, OXFORD</span></div>
-    <div class='c006'><span class='small'><i>AND TWENTY-SIX ILLUSTRATIONS BY</i></span></div>
-    <div class='c000'><span class='large'>JOHN JELLICOE AND HERBERT RAILTON</span></div>
-    <div class='c001'><span class='large'>LONDON</span></div>
-    <div><span class='large'>JOHN C. NIMMO</span></div>
-    <div>NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS</div>
-    <div>MDCCCXCVII</div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c001'>
-    <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_VIII'>VIII</span><i>Printed by</i> <span class='sc'>Ballantyne, Hanson &amp; Co.</span></div>
-    <div><i>At the Ballantyne Press</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>
-  <h2 class='c007'>CONTENTS</h2>
-</div>
-
-<table class='table0' summary=''>
-<colgroup>
-<col width='9%' />
-<col width='78%' />
-<col width='11%' />
-</colgroup>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'><span class='xsmall'>CHAP.</span></td>
-    <td class='c009'>&nbsp;</td>
-    <td class='c010'><span class='xsmall'>PAGE</span></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>I.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>The Reminiscences of Mistress Cherry.—The Fire, &amp; Double Tide.—Mal-conversation</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch01'>1</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>II.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Cherry endeavours to remember if she were pretty.—A Water-party</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch02'>17</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>III.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Result of the Water-party</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch03'>36</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>IV.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Chelsea Buns</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch04'>56</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>V.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>A Shadow on the House</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch05'>77</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>VI.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Metanoia</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch06'>95</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>VII.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Signs in the Air</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch07'>114</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>VIII.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>The Plague</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch08'>136</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>IX.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Foreshadows</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch09'>149</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>X.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>A Friend in Need</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch10'>169</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>XI.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Distinction between would &amp; should</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch11'>199</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>XII.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Camping out in Epping Forest</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch12'>207</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>XIII.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Ghosts</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch13'>226</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>XIV.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>Riding a Pillion</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch14'>243</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>XV.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>The Squire’s Garden</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch15'>259</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c008'>XVI.</td>
-    <td class='c009'>—<i>The Burning City</i></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#ch16'>284</a></td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span>
-  <h2 class='c007'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
-    <div><i>From Drawings by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span>.</div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<table class='table1' summary=''>
-<colgroup>
-<col width='86%' />
-<col width='13%' />
-</colgroup>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>Frontispiece.</span><br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#frontis'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>&nbsp;</td>
-    <td class='c010'><span class='xsmall'>PAGE</span></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>Title-Page.</span><br /> <i>Designed by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#title'>iii</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>Motto.</span><br /> <i>Designed by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#motto'>iv</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>Old London Bridge.</span><br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i001'>1</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>“My Father’s Shop was on the East Side”</span><br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i006'>6</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>One and the same Cradle.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i010'>10</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>In the Arbour at the Top of Our House.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i020'>20</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>“<span class='sc'>The Back-Room in which he slept was a Lean-to stuck against the Main Wall.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i022'>22</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>This Comicality drew Crowds of People.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i031'>31</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Gossiping with Hugh Braidfoot.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i042'>42</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>The Gay Party set out.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i063'>63</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Looked out on the Bridge.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i066'>66</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>I found her on her Knees.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i082'>82</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>And so the Good Man went.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i105'>105</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>We let our windows.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i116'>116</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>And now a shocking Sight was to be seen at the Bridge Gate.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i122'>122</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>“<span class='sc'>Houses were shut up.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i136'>136</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Keeping the Gates with much Jealousy.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i140'>140</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>I made for Cheapside.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i158'>158</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>A Party of disorderly Young Men.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i166'>166</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>There he lay.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i179'>179</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>We had Words about it.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i212'>212</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>I saw some Women passing through the Trees.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i222'>222</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>The Old Garden with the Iron Gate.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i231'>231</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>An old Red-Brick House.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i248'>248</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>A Bowling-Green of wonderful fine Turf.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i260'>260</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span><span class='sc'>In the Squire’s Garden.</span><br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i264'>264</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'><span class='sc'>Cherry’s wedding leaving the Church.</span><br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>John Jellicoe</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i279'>279</a></td>
-  </tr>
-  <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-  <tr>
-    <td class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>St. Paul’s was now in a Blaze.</span>”<br /> <i>Drawn by</i> <span class='sc'>Herbert Railton</span></td>
-    <td class='c010'><a href='#i294'>294</a></td>
-  </tr>
-</table>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span>
-  <h2 class='c007'>Introduction</h2>
-</div>
-<div class='c002'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-s.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-SO reticent was Miss Manning
-in her lifetime, and
-so loyally have her wishes
-been obeyed by her kindred
-since her death, that
-when Mr. Nimmo last year re-published
-her beautiful memorial portrait, “The
-Household of Sir Thomas More,” it was
-clear that whatever of her personal history
-had ever been known had been already
-forgotten. She had indeed been confused,
-in a Biographical Dictionary, with
-another writer: it even needed the
-assurance of her surviving niece to convince
-inquirers that she lived and died
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>unmarried. Thus to live and die, “the
-world forgetting, by the world forgot,”
-was what the gentle spirit chose. To
-be known through her books, and loved,
-there can be little question, was her
-ambition, and it was a wish which I
-cannot doubt is fulfilled. The “author
-of ‘Mary Powell,’” as she styled herself
-on her title-pages, has left several exquisite
-little studies, highly appreciated when
-they first saw the light, and still worthy,
-as it seems to me, of that kind of immortality
-of regard which is won by those
-writers whom none of us would place in
-the first rank of Literature, but whom all
-who know them remember with something
-of a personal affection. When I
-say that Miss Manning reminds me of
-Miss Rossetti, I do not mean that the
-earlier writer has the genius of the most
-perfect poet that ever, in the English
-tongue, linked the highest aspirations of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>Religion with the most exquisite expressions
-of Poetry; but rather that their
-minds were both beautiful, their experiences
-pathetic, their hearts true. They
-would walk together in Paradise, and
-understand each other: when our Lady
-of Sorrows sings “Magnificat,” they would
-stand by, and their souls would echo to
-her song. The matter of the work of
-each is very different, yet in the manner
-there is something indescribably akin.
-Christina Rossetti is one of the greatest
-writers of the century; but, unique though
-she is, and unapproachable in her sphere,
-in the land below her the author of
-“Mary Powell” has thought some of
-the same thoughts, and thought them in
-the same way.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c011'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“O my soul, she beats her wings,</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>And pants to fly away</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Up to immortal things</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>In the heavenly day:</div>
-      <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xvi'>xvi</span>Yet she flags and almost faints;</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>Can such be meant for me?—</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Come and see, say the Saints.</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>Saith Jesus: Come and see.</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Say the saints: His pleasures please us</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>Before God and the Lamb.</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Come and taste My sweets, saith Jesus:</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>Be with Me where I am.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>The voice is that of Christina Rossetti,
-but it is the thought too of her who
-wrote “Cherry and Violet.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Miss Manning, as we read her life in
-her books, walks through the world with
-an unbounded charity and a hope ever
-refreshed. “Preach peace to all,” said
-S. Francis of Assisi, “for often those
-whom you think to be the children of
-the devil are those whom you will
-know some day to be the sons of God.”
-Miss Manning loved to think of, and
-to look upon, whatsoever things are
-lovely and of good report, and so thinking
-and looking she found flowers
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xvii'>xvii</span>everywhere to spring up beneath her
-feet.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c011'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Tread softly! all the earth is holy ground.</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>It may be, could we look with seeing eyes,</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>This spot we stand on is a Paradise</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Where dead have come to life and lost been found,</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Where faith has triumphed, martyrdom been crowned,</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>Where fools have foiled the wisdom of the wise;</div>
-      <div class='line in2'>From this same spot the dust of saints may rise,</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>And the King’s prisoners come to light unbound.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>So when she turns to the sixteenth
-century, with its sordid materialism and
-its coarse handling of things most sacred,
-not merely does she recognise, as an
-Englishwoman, the grandeur of its struggles,
-but she sees its best embodiment in
-the tragedy of an almost perfect life. As
-she seeks refuge in that time of stress with
-the Household of Sir Thomas More, so
-in the next century she turns aside from
-the pettiness of Pepys or the realism of
-Defoe to the life of a simple girl born
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xviii'>xviii</span>and nurtured on the great bridge that
-spans the Thames.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c011'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“Quali colombe dal disio chiamante</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Con l’ali aperte e ferme al dolce nido</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Volan per l’aer dal voler portate.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>With “The Household of Sir Thomas
-More” we walked in the dangerous days
-when the Lion found his strength. With
-“Cherry and Violet” we are in the still
-more alarming atmosphere of the Commonwealth
-and the Restoration. Year
-by year, as old houses open their chests,
-and scholars hunt among their yellow
-papers, we learn more of the reign of
-terror which marked the closing years of
-the Protectorate. We see one Verney
-living a “lude life” with “my lord
-Claypoll” and other “my lords” the
-kindred of the Protector; while another,
-the honest Sir Ralph, stoutest of Parliamentarians,
-is clapped in prison, no man
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xix'>xix</span>knows why; and at the same time John
-Howe, pious Puritan preacher (whom
-Mistress Cherry herself knew of), is confessing
-how impossible it is to win the
-family which reigns at Whitehall to think
-of the welfare of their souls. Yet all
-the while there hangs over the land the
-outer gloom of an enforced conformity,
-which Miss Manning so happily describes.
-When we find ourselves in the
-heyday of the Restoration, or when we
-watch the splendours and the scandals of
-the Court of Charles II., we learn from
-the scandalous Pepys—now so much more
-than ever since Mr. H. B. Wheatley has
-given us all that it was possible to print
-of the wonderful Diary as Pepys really
-wrote it—how utterly rotten was the
-social life of the age, even among those,
-too often, who might seem to sit sedately
-above its more flagrant iniquities.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And then there comes in Defoe with
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xx'>xx</span>his marvellous photographic realism of
-fiction, and tells us of the horrors of the
-Plague with a fidelity which those who
-had lived among them could, we fancy,
-hardly have approached.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>From sources such as these—from
-Pepys and Defoe, as well as from the
-more sober pages of the stately Evelyn,
-it is that Miss Manning takes much of
-the <i>mise-en-scène</i> of her “Tale of the
-Great Plague”; and we find, as historic
-evidence accumulates around us, how
-true her imaginary picture is.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>It was a happy thought which made
-the story begin on old London Bridge—happier
-still, readers will now think when
-they see Mr. Herbert Railton’s beautiful
-drawings. Something we learn of the
-stress of the time as we recall, with
-Mistress Cherry, the strange pageants
-which the bridge-dwellers watched from
-their windows. They saw the double
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxi'>xxi</span>tide, portent of unknown woes. They
-saw how the mighty Strafford went
-serenely to his death, and the old Archbishop
-passed up and down under guard
-on the long days of his weary trial. They
-saw the King come to his own again—and
-some of them may have looked out
-of windows that wet Sunday night in
-1662 when Mr. Pepys had left his singing
-of “some holy things” and went
-back by water, shooting the rapids under
-“the bridge (which did trouble me)
-home, and so to bed.” The life on the
-bridge must have been something which
-an Englishman’s experience of to-day can
-hardly help to picture. Something of it
-we may fancy as we enter an old shop on
-the Ponte Vecchio at Florence, or look
-out upon it and the Arno from the long
-corridor that connects the Uffizi with
-the Pitti. But on that narrow space is
-no such crowded life as on old London
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxii'>xxii</span>Bridge—no such dangers for foot-passengers,
-drivers, and horsemen. To picture
-this in seventeenth-century England we
-must cross near mid-day from Stamboul
-towards Pera by the far-famed Galata
-Bridge. Scarce anywhere but in Florence
-and in Constantinople can we now recall
-what sights old London Bridge must
-have witnessed. Mr. Railton sees them,
-though, very clearly, and we are more
-than content to see with his eyes. Something
-idealised they are, perhaps. Old
-London Bridge was hardly so beautiful,
-surely, as he pictures it; and his drawings,
-perhaps, are more like what the
-houses ought to have been than ever
-they were. “More Nurembergy than
-Nuremberg,” says Mr. Ruskin of some
-of Prout’s famous work. We may say it
-of Mr. Railton’s old London; and high
-praise it is. And as Mr. Railton brings
-back to us the scenes, so Mr. Jellicoe
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxiii'>xxiii</span>gives us the persons of old time in their
-habits as they lived.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Among such surroundings we picture
-Cherry doing her simple duties, tending
-her mother, thinking somewhat primly
-of her vivacious neighbour Violet, fancying
-she has lost her heart for ever to poor
-Mark, and then waking to a heroine’s
-work in the horrors of the Plague, and
-finding through that her own bright
-reward.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“The Plague growing on us,” says
-Pepys, and of remedies “some saying one
-thing, and some another.” So it begins
-in May, and by the first week of June,
-“much against my will, I did in Drury
-Lane see two or three houses marked
-with a red cross upon the doors, and
-‘Lord have mercy upon us’ writ there;
-which was a sad sight to me, being the
-first of the kind that to my remembrance
-I ever saw.” Ten days later, and as he
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxiv'>xxiv</span>goes in a hackney coach from the Lord
-Treasurer’s, his coachman is struck of a
-sudden “very sick and almost blind”—and
-journey by coach becomes “a very dangerous
-passage nowadays.” So it comes
-till there are seven hundred dying in a
-week, and “it was a sad noise to hear our
-bell to toll and ring so often either for
-death or burials.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And soon, “But, Lord! how sad a
-sight it is to see the streets empty of
-people and very few upon the ’Change.
-Jealous of every door that one sees shut
-up, lest it should be the Plague; and
-about us two shops in three, if not more,
-generally shut up.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Reports are terrible of the thousands
-who every week are carried to their
-graves in the long pits; and with an
-even closer terror speaks the record of
-the veracious diarist. “I went forth and
-walked towards Moorfields (August 30th)
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxv'>xxv</span>to see (God forgive me my presumption!)
-whether I could see any dead corpse
-going to the grave; but, as God would
-have it, did not. But, Lord! how everybody
-looks, and discourse on the streets
-is of death, and nothing else, and few
-people going up and down, that the town
-is like a place distressed and forsaken.”
-“What a sad time it is,” he writes on
-20th September, “to see no boats upon
-the river; and grass grows up and down
-White Hall Court, and nobody but poor
-wretches in the streets.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>To these records the genius of Defoe
-adds an immortal picture. “As this puts
-me upon mentioning my walking the
-Streets and Fields”—he has been speaking
-of the numbers that fled to the outskirts
-of the town, “into the Fields and Woods,
-and into secret uncouth Places, almost
-anywhere to creep into a Bush, or Hedge,
-and die,” and how it “was a general
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxvi'>xxvi</span>Method to walk away” if any one was
-seen coming—“I cannot omit taking
-notice what a desolate place the City
-was at that time. The great street I
-lived in, which is known to be one of
-the broadest of all the streets of London,
-I mean of the Suburbs as well as the
-Liberties; all the side where the Butchers
-lived, especially without the Bars, was
-more like a green Field than a paved
-Street, and the People generally went in
-the middle with the Horses and Carts.
-It is true that the farthest End, towards
-White-Chappel Church, was not all pav’d,
-but even the part that was pav’d was full
-of Grass also; but this need not seem
-strange, since the great Streets within the
-City, such as Leaden-Hall Street, Bishopgate-Street,
-Cornhill, and even the Exchange
-itself, had Grass growing in them,
-in several Places; neither Cart nor Coach
-were seen in the Streets from Morning to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxvii'>xxvii</span>Evening, except some Country Carts to
-bring Roots and Beans, or Pease, Hay
-and Straw, to the Market, and those but
-very few, compared to what was usual:
-as for Coaches, they were scarce used, but
-to carry sick People to the Pest-House,
-and to other Hospitals; and some few to
-carry Physicians to such Places as they
-thought fit to venture to visit; for really
-coaches were dangerous things, and People
-did not Care to venture into them because
-they did not know who might have been
-carried in them last; and sick infected
-People were, as I have said, ordinarily
-carried in them to the Pest-Houses, and
-some times People expired in them as
-they went along.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It is true, when the Infection came
-to such a Height as I have now mentioned,
-there were very few Physicians
-which car’d to stir abroad to sick Houses,
-and very many of the most eminent of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxviii'>xxviii</span>the Faculty were dead as well as the
-Surgeons also; for now it was indeed a
-dismal time, and for about a month together,
-not taking any Notice of the Bills
-of Mortality, I believe there did not die
-less than 1500 or 1700 a-Day, one Day
-with another.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“One of the worst Days we had in the
-whole Time, as I thought, was in the
-Beginning of September, when indeed
-good People began to think that God
-was resolved to make a full End of the
-People in this miserable City. This was
-at that Time when the Plague was fully
-come into the Eastern Parishes: the
-Parish of Algate, if I may give my
-Opinion, buried above a thousand a Week
-for two Weeks, though the Bills did not
-say so many; but it surrounded me at so
-dismal a rate, that there was not a House
-in twenty uninfected; in the Minories,
-in Houndsditch, and in those Parts of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxix'>xxix</span>Algate about the Butcher-Row, and the
-Alleys over against me, I say in those
-places Death reigned in every Corner.
-White-Chappel Parish was in the same
-Condition, and tho’ much less than the
-Parish I liv’d in; yet buried near 600 a
-Week by the Bills; and in my Opinion
-near twice as many; whole Families, and
-indeed whole Streets of Families were
-swept away together; insomuch that it
-was frequent for Neighbours to call to
-the Bellman, to go to such and such
-Houses, and fetch out the People, for
-that they were all dead.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>There is little, if anything, in the description
-which is exaggerated. How
-much in tone as well as detail Miss
-Manning learnt from this great master
-of fiction is clear. But it was altogether
-foreign to her nature to paint long in
-such gloomy colours, and she turned,
-with a true art, from the horrors of the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxx'>xxx</span>Plague to the peace of country life “in
-good King Charles’s golden days.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So she brings her heroine down into
-Berkshire. A very short journey we
-take it to have been, or the old horse
-must have been more swift of foot than
-we should gather from Mistress Cherry’s
-description, for Buckland in Berks lies
-not far from Faringdon, and over seventy
-miles from London town. One of those
-quiet little villages it is that nestle among
-the low hills that overlook the peaceful
-valley of the upper Thames. A fine old
-church may have had Master Blower
-for its vicar. It has four bells and a
-register that date from his day. There
-are memorials of two families, the Yates
-and the Southbys, who have passed away
-with the good old times. The house is
-not such as Mistress Cherry stayed in, but
-speaks all of the eighteenth century, of
-George the Second and Mr. Wood of Bath.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxxi'>xxxi</span>It is tempting to wonder whether this
-part of the country was one Miss Manning
-ever saw—whether she watched the
-deer speeding by her—whether she felt
-the fascination of</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c011'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“This little stream whose hamlets scarce have names,</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>This far-off, lonely mother of the Thames.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>One may like to fancy her rejoicing in it,
-as Dante Gabriel Rossetti rejoiced, who
-lived in a quaint old house such as she
-had pictured Master Blower welcoming
-Cherry into, only a few miles away from
-Buckland, at Kelmscott. But the place
-refuses to be identified, and we must be
-content to conclude that Mistress Cherry’s
-geography was at fault.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Having chosen a striking setting for
-her characters, Miss Manning knew well
-how to give them life. She had a quiet
-humour, and a kindly knowledge of
-human nature, which made her draw
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxxii'>xxxii</span>true portraits. Different readers will have
-their favourites, but I think few will fail
-to be drawn to honest Nathaniel Blower,
-priest and scholar, who, after days of
-poverty such as we may read many a true
-history of in Walker’s “Sufferings of the
-Clergy,” and a sore struggle with the
-Plague, lived to be Rector of Whitechapel,
-and better still, after the crowning
-misfortune of the Fire, to end his days
-quietly among the country folk at Bucklands
-with his good wife by his side.
-Master Blower is indeed drawn with Miss
-Manning’s happiest touches: we do not
-readily forget the figure he presents in
-bed, or how he “in his Deliration went
-through the whole Book of Job in his
-head.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Whether most lads would not fall in
-love with Violet we cannot tell, but certainly
-quiet Cherry is a good woman,
-worthy of the hand of Mary Wilkins.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxxiii'>xxxiii</span>We may sometimes feel that she is a
-damsel of the nineteenth century at masquerade
-in the dress of two centuries
-before; but we like her none the less if
-we fancy she is good Miss Manning in
-disguise.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And so we leave her and Master
-Blower happy in their home at Bucklands.
-Good man, we doubt not he
-tilled his garden and tended his parish
-well, like the Berkshire priest and poet
-of to-day, and, it may be, with the same
-thought.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c011'>
-  <div class='linegroup'>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line'>“In all my borders I my true love seek</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>By flowery signs to set:</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Praising the rose-carnation for her cheek,</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>Her hair the violet;</div>
-    </div>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line in1'>Flowers that with sweet returns each season bloom,</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>As each its impulse wakes,</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Making air fragrant with a purple gloom,</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>Or whorl of crimson flakes.</div>
-    </div>
-    <div class='group'>
-      <div class='line in1'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxxiv'>xxxiv</span>And ye who blanch your glow, violets more rare,</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>Carnation, foam of light;</div>
-      <div class='line in1'>Be pledges of a beauty still more fair</div>
-      <div class='line in6'>When hair and cheek are white.”</div>
-    </div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c012'>All’s well that ends well. After prim
-Puritanism and roystering Restoration
-revels, after Plague and Fire, comes the
-quiet ending in the country’s peace.</p>
-<div class='c014'>W. H. HUTTON.</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-  <div class='nf-center'>
-    <div><span class='sc'>The Great House, Burford</span>,</div>
-    <div><i>June 26, 1896</i>.</div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c001'>
-    <div><span class='xxlarge'>CHERRY AND VIOLET</span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div id='i001'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span>
-<img src='images/i001.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c006'>
-    <div><span class='xxlarge'>CHERRY AND VIOLET</span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <h2 id='ch01' class='c007'>CHAPTER I</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>The Reminiscences of Mistress Cherry.—The Fire, &amp; Double Tide.—Mal-conversation.</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-i.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-I&nbsp;WONDER whether many
-People, on reviewing their
-past Lives, feel as I do
-on looking back on mine;
-that, had they had the
-ordering the outward Circumstances connected
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>with them beforehand, such as
-Time, Place, Health, Sickness, Friends,
-Acquaintances, and such-like Conditions,
-they could not have arranged them half so
-well as they have been disposed for them.
-When I fall into a Muse on the Past, the
-Moments fly so swiftly that I am lost in
-Amazement when I find how the Time
-has slipped by while thus pleasantly employed.
-And yet many of the Arrangements
-which were made for me by a
-greater Wisdom than mine, were such as
-at the Time were far from agreeable to
-me; nay, were sometimes so repugnant
-to Flesh and Blood as to nourish rebellious
-Thoughts, and call forth Showers of Tears.
-And still the Process went on; as I now
-see, all for my Good.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>My Father married my Mother in the
-Spring of the Year 1632: being then in
-the Prime of Life, a personable, charming-looking
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>Man, though small of Stature,
-and with a Nose somewhat awry. In his
-Conditions he was ever most lovely; of a
-sweet Temper, shrewd Observance, stout
-Heart, and lively Wit. Many, no Doubt,
-had read more, by reason of their Opportunities;
-but what few Books he knew,
-he turned to Profit, and perhaps no Man
-concocted his Reading into Judgment
-better than he; by which he became so
-judicious and oracular, as that though he
-could not indeed prophesy, he could presage;
-and some of his Presages came true
-and others not, but might have done so,
-had Events taken but in a very slight
-Degree a different Course. He knew
-how to sound his Customers, and suck
-the Marrow of their Knowledge, while
-keeping his own Counsel: but this was
-his Prudence, not Pusillanimity, for I
-have heard it remarked by one who knew
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>him well, that the <i>Trojan</i> Horse was not
-more full of Valour than he, for so small
-a Man. Being a Hair-dresser, this was
-not so evident in him as if he had been
-a Soldier; but yet every Man’s Life
-affords Occasions, as my Father’s certainly
-did, of showing what is in him and what
-is not.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>In Dress, his Taste was excessive neat,
-and yet gaudy; so that on <i>Sundays</i>, when
-he appeared in what he called his Marigold-and-Poppy,
-with his Hair, which
-Men then wore very long, combed down
-in large smooth Curls, his laced Collar
-nicely ironed, his Beaver well brushed,
-and his Shoes shining like Coals ... it
-would have been difficult to find a Grain
-of Fault with him, save that, as my Cousin
-<i>Mark</i> was wont to say, the Colours of his
-Suit did too much swear at one another.
-For my own Part, I always had an Impression
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>that he was an excessive well-looking
-Man, not out of any Prejudice,
-but downright Prepossession; and yet my
-dear Mother, who I am sure loved him
-truly, always said to me when I alluded
-to the Subject, “My Dear, the Qualities
-of his Person were always far exceeded
-by those of his Mind.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Of my Cousin <i>Mark</i>, who was my
-Father’s Apprentice, there could not be
-two Opinions. He was winsome, lightsome,
-debonair; of most comely Person
-and Aspect: we were all very proud of
-him, and he of himself. If he had a
-Fault, it was thinking too much of himself
-and too little of others; but this is so
-common that I do not know I am justified
-in particularizing it. Also he was somewhat
-of a Coward, not in respect of personal,
-animal Courage, of which I suppose
-he had as much as the aforesaid <i>Trojan</i>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>Horse, whatever that might be; but
-morally cowardly, as to what would be
-thought of him by others, and dreading
-the Evil of the present Moment, and so
-forth; which Men don’t think so bad a
-kind of Cowardice as the other, but I do.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>But his Temper was most sweet: his
-Manners most engaging. Oh! how
-much he came to be thought of, at length,
-all along the Bridge! I have no other
-Fault to find in him besides those already
-reckoned; unless it were a general Want
-of Principle, which was less apparent than
-it would have been, had it not been
-covered rather than supplied by good
-Feeling. But ’tis ill reckoning the Faults
-of one’s Friends.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Of my Mother, how shall I say enough?
-She was tall, slender, and comely to look
-upon, with sweet and quick grey Eyes.
-She was naturally of a high Spirit, which
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>had been brought under a Curb by Divine
-Grace. She was kind and obliging to all,
-stirring and thrifty, yet not niggardly;
-soft-hearted to the Poor, of wonderful
-Propriety without the least Priggishness,
-loved by her Friends, and especially in
-her own Family. Now I have counted
-up the whole House except our Lodger,
-Master <i>Blower</i>, and <i>Dolly</i>, the Cook.</p>
-
-<div id='i006'  class='figcenter id005'>
-<img src='images/i006.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>My Father’s shop was on the east side of London Bridge</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>My Father’s Shop was on the east Side
-of <i>London Bridge</i>. Over his Door hung
-his Sign of “<i>The Lock of Hair</i>;” and over
-the Shop-front was painted in yellow
-Letters the following Inscription,—</p>
-
-<p class='c017'>“<span class='sc'>Peter Curling</span> <i>sells all Sorts of Hair, Curled
-or Uncurled, Roses, Braids, Cauls, Ribbons,
-Weaving, Sewing-silk, Cards, and Blocks.
-Together with Combs, Crisping-pins, Perfumery,
-and all other Goods made use of by
-Tonsors and Hairdressers, at the Lowest
-Prices</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>On the opposite Side of the Way, was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>a Vintner’s, by the Name of <i>Abel</i>, who
-had humorously set up <i>a Bell</i> for his Sign,
-and painted beneath it, “Quoth the Wag,
-I am <i>Abel</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Next Door to us on one Side, lived a
-Bookseller and Stationer named <i>Benskin</i>,
-whose Sign was the Bible and Star; and
-next Door to us on the other Side was
-a Glover named <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i>, a jolly,
-good-tempered Bachelor, black-haired,
-fresh-coloured, and six Feet high, whose
-Sign was the Roebuck.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>A few Weeks after my Birth, which
-was in <i>February, 1633</i>, in the Midst of
-a notable hard Frost, there broke out a
-most dreadful Fire at the north End of
-the Bridge, which consumed all the
-Houses on both Sides, from <i>St. Magnus’</i>
-Church to the first open Space on the
-Bridge. There was, I have heard tell,
-much bodily Hurt as well as Destruction
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>of Property; many Persons in precipitating
-themselves from upper Stories, getting
-their Limbs broken. “Water! Water!”
-was the Cry, and all in vain, for though
-the <i>Thames</i> lay right under the Houses,
-’twas one great Cake of Ice, and the only
-Resource was to break the Conduit Pipes
-that ran through the Streets leading to
-the Bridge, and sweep the Water down
-with Brooms, to supply the three Engines
-that every one had thought would be such
-Helps in Time of Need, but which proved
-very sorry Helps indeed. In the Midst
-of the Tumult and Danger, some Neighbours
-of ours that were burned out of
-House and Home, took Refuge with us;
-to wit, the Wife and infant Daughter of
-Master <i>Samuel Armytage</i>, Haberdasher of
-small Wares; the Infant being, like myself,
-a Nursling of only a few Weeks old.
-These homeless Strangers did my Mother
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>hospitably and Christianly entertain, bestirring
-herself more in her Care for them
-than in her tender Case it was fit she
-should have done, and putting us two
-Infants into one and the same Cradle.
-With our little Arms locked about one
-another, in an Atmosphere of Christian
-Love, ’twas no Wonder that little <i>Violet</i>
-and I conceived a Tenderness for each
-other, e’en while Sucklings, that grew
-with our Growth, and strengthened with
-our Strength. As for the elder Parties,
-Hospitality on the one Side and Thankfulness
-on the other caused a more than
-common Friendliness to spring up between
-them from that Time forth. And when
-the Fugitives were re-established in their
-re-built Houses, they long had an impressive
-and solemnifying Remembrance
-of their narrow Escape from an awful
-and terrible Death.</p>
-
-<div id='i010'  class='figcenter id006'>
-<img src='images/i010.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>Now, though I cannot, of course, remember
-Anything of the Fire, I have a
-perfect Recollection of the next notable
-Occurrence among us, of <i>the Double Tide</i>,
-which happened in my eighth Year; and
-how the River, after lying as still as a
-Stone for more than an Hour, suddenly
-came foaming up from <i>Greenwich</i>, roaring,
-boiling, and splashing to that Degree that
-it was Horror to look upon. And my
-Father, after contemplating the Prodigy
-along with all the rest, exclaimed, “Well,
-Friends! you may say what you will;
-but I, though not a superstitious Man,
-think Something will come of it.” And
-did not Something come of it ... or, at
-any Rate, after it? and were not we, that
-had previously been sleeping on the still
-Waters of a settled Government, horribly
-overwhelmed with a Tide of Rebellion,
-Anarchy, and Republicanism?</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>The Year before the Double Tide, there
-had been much Talk in my Father’s
-Shop, about the Earl of <i>Strafford</i> being
-given over to the Black Rod, which I,
-being of such tender Years, could not well
-make out, but it seemed to carry an ill
-Sound with it. After that, he was taken
-to his Trial; and passed from his Prison
-in the <i>Tower</i> to <i>Westminster</i>, under our
-Bridge. We looked forth of our Windows,
-and discerned him plainly in one
-of the Barges, guarded by Soldiers with
-Partizans; and there was much Yelling
-and Hooting as he went through the
-Arch, which I for my Part was sorry for,
-he was so handsome and personable a
-Gentleman. The People, however, were
-much incensed against him; and, about
-three Months after the Double Tide,
-there was what I may call a Double Tide
-of ’Prentices and tumultuous Citizens, to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>the Number of about six Thousand, (my
-Cousin, <i>Mark Blenkinsop</i>, being among
-them,) who assembled themselves in an
-intimidating Manner at <i>Westminster</i>, many
-of them armed with Swords and Staves,
-and demanded Lord <i>Strafford’s</i> Death of
-the Peers as they went to the House.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I remember my Father, for as small a
-Man as he was, collaring <i>Mark</i> when he
-came back, and dealing him one or two
-Blows, which made me begin to cry, and
-run in between them. And <i>Mark</i>, though
-a great, tall Lad of his Years, began to
-whimper too, which reminds me again of
-the <i>Trojan</i> Horse, and the Valour that
-may dwell in a little Body, and the
-Pusillanimity that may be in a large one.
-And, “sure, Uncle,” says <i>Mark</i>, “the
-Earl deserves to die, for his” ... Mal-conversation,
-or Malministration, I forget
-which. And my Father replied, “Never
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>trouble your Head with that. Leave
-the Powers that be to settle their own
-Affairs. Fine Times, indeed, when
-Barbers’ ’Prentices must be meddling in
-State-politics! To his own Master, the
-<i>Earl</i> standeth or falleth.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Had all Men been of my Father’s
-equable and temperate Mind, we should
-not have fallen into the Disorders we presently
-did; wherein, no Doubt, there was
-much Wrong on both Sides. One Night
-we were roused from Sleep by Cries in
-the Street that “the <i>King</i> and his Papists
-were coming to fire the City and cut
-our Throats in our Beds;” but my
-Father, after putting his Head forth to
-learn the Nature of the Tumult, drew it
-in again and closed the Window, allaying
-our somewhat ungoverned Fears with that
-Composure which it behoves every Master
-of a Family to assume when he can, in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>Seasons of Danger or the Apprehension
-of it.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Soon there was open War between <i>King</i>
-and <i>Parliament</i>, which went on increasing
-till the whole Country was filled with
-Bloodshed and Confusion, and only ended
-in a total Change of Government. We
-were now in a State of Fortification; for
-the <i>Lords</i> and <i>Commons</i> had directed that
-the whole City should be put in a State
-of Defence, and that the <i>Lord Mayor</i> and
-Citizens should trench, stop, and fortify
-all Highways leading thereunto. Wherefore,
-all Entrances into <i>London</i> except five,
-were stoned and bricked up altogether;
-and those five were made as strong as
-could be, with Breast-works and Turn-pikes,
-Musket-proof. And all Sheds and
-Out-buildings outside <i>London Wall</i>, that
-were near enough to be advantageous to
-an Enemy, were taken down; and this
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>gave a great deal of Work to do that
-behoved to be done quickly; wherefore
-even Women and Children helped the
-Men in carrying Earth, Stones, &amp;c., for,
-by this Time, there was in the City a
-pretty general Disaffection towards the
-<i>King</i>; and those that wished him well
-and could not get to him, found it best to
-hold their Peace.</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i016.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>
-  <h2 id='ch02' class='c007'>CHAPTER II</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Cherry endeavours to remember if she were pretty.—A Water-party.</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-a.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-AND now my Memory flies
-on to the Time when, I
-suppose, I was as happy a
-Girl as any on the <i>Bridge</i>.
-I know not whether I were
-pretty or not,—I rather suppose I was,
-but my Father praised me too much, and
-my dear Mother never praised me at all,
-so that I have no Clue to what was
-really thought of me. There’s an old
-Saying, “Even a little Beetle is a Beauty
-in the Eyes of its Mother,”—I am bold
-to think that if I had been a little Black-beetle,
-I should still have been a Beauty
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>in the Eyes of my Father. My Mother
-used to tell him “all his Geese were
-Swans,” which was as much as to say
-that hers were not: be that as it may, if
-she praised me less, I always felt she loved
-me as much as he did; and I loved her
-to the full as much as I loved him.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I remember coming down Stairs one
-<i>Sunday</i> Morning, dressed for Church,—(we
-had no Liturgy, nor Church of <i>England</i>
-Clergymen then, such was the Will
-of <i>Parliament</i>,)—dressed in a primrose
-Petticoat and grass-green Mantua neatly
-bundled up behind; black Mits without
-a Crease in them for Tightness, white
-Pinners starched and crimped, and a small
-steeple-crowned Hat,—when <i>Mark</i>, meeting
-me at the Stair-foot, stepped out of my
-Way with a sliding Bow, said, “Bless me,
-how pretty we are!” and looked attentively
-after me. I felt ashamed and yet
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>elated; and thought somewhat more of
-myself and of him after that; yet I am
-not quite sure, now, that his Speech was
-not ironical, after all.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Of my Friend and Schoolfellow, <i>Violet
-Armytage</i>, there could not be two Opinions.
-She was excessively pretty, and knew it
-too well: which was partly the Fault of
-her Father, who was always calling her
-his “sweet <i>Wi-let</i>;” and yet, even if he
-had not, I think she would have found it
-out, for all that. <i>My</i> Father called me
-his rosy <i>Cherry</i>, but I knew it for his
-Manner of Speaking. But <i>Violet</i> always
-believed Everything that was said in her
-Praise. She was fond of me by Fits and
-Starts; and when the affectionate Fit was
-on, she would bring her Work and sit
-with me in the Arbour at the Top of
-our House, by the Hour together. Sometimes
-my Father and Mother would join
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>us there in the long Summer Evenings,
-and we would sup in the open Air; no
-one objecting to it but <i>Dolly</i>, who had
-to carry the Things up so many Pair of
-Stairs.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At other Times, when my Father and
-Mother were otherwise engaged, <i>Mark</i>
-would come up to us; and sit upon the
-Roller or Watering-pot, and say ever so
-many funny Things to us both; which
-we thought very pleasant. Sometimes
-<i>Violet</i> would let her Ball of Thread roll
-through the Rails and drop down into the
-Street, and send him to fetch it; and
-when he had brought it she would do the
-same Thing again; which he said was
-too bad, but I don’t think he minded it.
-I never played him such Tricks myself;
-for, what was singular, though we lived
-in the same House together, I was shyer
-of him than she was.</p>
-
-<div id='i020'  class='figcenter id008'>
-<img src='images/i020.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>Our first Floor was let to a very learned
-and excellent Man, though a very singular
-one, the Reverend <i>Nathanael Blower</i>, who
-had been Curate of <i>St. Magnus</i> till the
-Form of Religion changed. Then he was
-hard put to it, where to lay his Head
-without fleeing the Country or getting
-into Trouble; for the Independents were
-mighty intolerant; and he whom we used
-to think it a great Honour to get a passing
-Word and a Smile from, was now thankful
-to take up his Rest among us. Holy
-Writ tells us that some have entertained
-Angels unawares: if we entertained an
-Angel, it was not unawares, though he
-was a very eccentric and untidy one. He
-said he would have called my Mother
-the good <i>Shunammite</i> if it had not been
-a Shame to provoke Comparison between
-himself and the Prophet <i>Elijah</i>. Indeed
-his was somewhat like the “Chamber on
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>the Wall,” for the Back-room in which
-he slept was a Lean-to that stuck against
-the main Wall like a Swallow’s Nest, and
-hung perilously over the foaming River,
-trembling at every half-ebb Tide; but
-Use inures us to Everything, and he said
-he slept as well in his Nest as a Sailor
-in his Hammock. As to his Sitting-chamber,
-it was soon a perfect Pig-sty (if
-Pigs ever had Books) of Papers, Parchments,
-Books, Pamphlets, old Shoes, Hats
-and Coats, Medicines, Cordials, Snuff-boxes,
-Pipes, Walking-sticks, and Everything
-that is untidy. After a Time he
-began to think whether he might not, by
-a conscientious Conformity, be a Working-bee
-rather than a Drone in the Hive; and,
-having some Acquaintance with Master
-<i>John Howe</i>, the <i>Whitehall</i> Preacher, who
-was known to be forward in assisting the
-Royalists and Episcopalians in Distress,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>if they were but Men of Merit, he went
-and took his Advice on the Subject before
-he presented himself before the Triers,
-that is to say, those who tried the ejected
-Ministers whether they might be allowed
-to officiate again in Public or not. Along
-with him went Doctor <i>Fuller</i>, so well
-known by his wise and witty Books; who
-was generally upon the merry Pin, for as
-pious a Man as he was. He, presenting
-himself before Master <i>Howe</i>, said,</p>
-
-<div id='i022'  class='figcenter id009'>
-<img src='images/i022.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>The Back-room in which he slept was a Lean-to that stuck against the Main Wall</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Sir, you may observe I am a pretty
-corpulent Man, and I am to go through
-a Passage that is very strait. I beg you
-would be so kind as to give me a Shove,
-and help me through!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Master <i>Howe</i> smiled, and frankly debated
-the Subject with him and Master
-<i>Blower</i>; and the End of it was, that when
-the Triers put it to Master <i>Fuller</i> whether
-he had ever had any Experience of a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>Work of Grace upon his Heart, he made
-Answer, that he could appeal to the
-Searcher of Hearts, that he made Conscience
-of his very Thoughts; and Master
-<i>Blower</i> said in other Words what amounted
-to the same Thing; howbeit, like <i>Pharaoh’s</i>
-Butler and Baker, one was accepted—the
-other not.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And the Reason was, that they got
-upon the Question of particular Faith,
-which was very prevalent in <i>Oliver Cromwell’s</i>
-Court, and put it to him whether
-he did not believe that all who asked for
-Anything in Faith would have it granted
-them, as well as have an Assurance on the
-Spot that it would be so. Which he said,
-in that large, unqualified Sense, he did
-not, for that he believed many timid
-Believers had the Faith of Adherence who
-had not the Faith of Assurance; and that
-if Prayer were made for some unreasonable
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>Thing, however fervently, he did not
-think it would be granted. That would
-not stand Master <i>Blower</i>; so he had to
-come back to his Swallow’s Nest.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“But is it not an extraordinary Thing,
-now,” saith he to my Mother, “that
-they should, except for the Sake of
-catching a Man in his Talk, so hardly
-insist on the literal Acceptance of a
-Dogma which they themselves must
-know they overstrain? For would one
-of them dare to pray that his Father or
-Mother might come to Life again in
-this present World, however much he
-might long to see them in the Body?
-Or that all Jews, Infidels, and Heretics,
-might be converted this very Moment,
-however desirable a Thing it might be?
-We do the Word of God Dishonour and
-make it of none Effect when we interpret
-by the Letter instead of the Spirit.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>In this Fashion would the excellent
-Master <i>Blower</i> vouchsafe to converse with
-my Mother in my Hearing, much to her
-Edification and mine. Meantime <i>Violet
-Armytage</i> was much more given to Flirting
-than Preaching; and had more Admirers
-than any Girl on the <i>Bridge</i>; but
-the Man whom she and her Mother were
-chiefly desirous she should captivate was
-no Admirer of hers at all. This was
-<i>Hugh Braidfoot</i>, the Glover, who lived
-next Door to us; and who talked the
-Matter over with my Father very freely
-when they had the Shop to themselves;
-I sewing in the Parlour behind.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I can see quite plainly through the
-old Lady,” quoth he, as he sate on his
-favourite Seat, the Counter, with his Feet
-easily reaching the Floor, “I can see what
-she’s driving at, and don’t respect her
-for it a bit. Why should she always
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>be buying Gloves three or four Sizes too
-small for her broad red Hand, and then
-be sending <i>Violet</i> over to change them
-again and again till they fit? I’ve a
-dozen Pair wasted that she has stretched.
-And where is the other Daughter, and
-why is she always in the Background?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Kitty</i> is sickly and a little lame,” says
-my Father, “and has her Health better
-in the Country.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I don’t believe she’s either sickly or
-lame,” says <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i>, “only the
-Mother wants to get this Daughter off
-first—and stands in her own Light by
-her Manœuvres, I can tell her. Defend
-me from a managing Mother!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>About this Time, my Father’s Trade
-had a short but surprising Impetus, which,
-as he said to my Mother, “was but the
-Flaring up of a Candle in the Socket,
-just before it goes out.” Cropped Heads
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>and long Curls being now the Signs of
-different Parties, and the Round-heads
-having the uppermost, numerous Persons
-that had hitherto been vain enough of
-their long and graceful Tresses, which
-brought no small Gain to the Hairdressers,
-were now anxious to be shorn
-as close as <i>French</i> Poodles, for Fear of
-getting into Scrapes with the reigning
-Power. And as, like the Sheep after
-Shearing, they left their Fleeces behind
-them, which were in many Cases exceeding
-valuable, my Father and <i>Mark</i> were
-busied from Morning to Night, in washing,
-baking, and weaving beautiful Sets of
-Hair, which were carefully reserved for
-future Occasion.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“For you will see,” quoth my Father,
-“there will sooner or later be a Reaction;
-<i>I</i> may not live to see it, but
-you Youngsters will; People will be
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>tired of Puritanism and Rebellion some
-of these Days, and then the old State
-of Things will come back; and the
-Croppies will be as ashamed of their
-Stubble Heads as the Cavaliers are of
-their Love-locks now; and, as Hair
-won’t grow as fast as green Peas, they
-will then be constrained to wear Wigs,
-and then will come a rare Time for the
-Barbers!” Every Word of which, like
-so many other of his Prophesyings and
-Presages, in due Season proved strictly
-true!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Meantime, though this Fury for cropping
-filled the Till as long as there was
-any long Hair to cut off, yet, this being
-presently done, a great Stagnation of Business
-ensued; for, whereas the curled Locks
-had required constant curling, brushing,
-and trimming, the round Heads were easily
-kept short, and brought only Pence where
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>the others had brought Shillings. My
-Father kept his Hair long to the last;
-and, to express his Opinion of the Times
-so as e’en they who ran might read, he
-set up two waxen Effigies in his Window,
-not merely Heads, but half Lengths; the
-one representing an exceeding comely
-and handsome young Man, (very much
-like my Cousin <i>Mark</i>,) with long, fair
-Tresses most beautifully crimped, falling
-over his <i>Vandyke</i> Collar and black Velvet
-Coat: the other, with as red a Nose as
-old <i>Noll</i>, close cropped, so as to show
-his large Ears sticking out on each Side.
-And to make the Satire more pungent,
-the Round-head made as though pointing
-to the Cavalier, with a small Label superscribed,
-“See what I was!”—and the
-Cavalier, with a Look of silent Disgust,
-was signing at the Round-head and saying,
-“See what I shall be!”</p>
-
-<div id='i031'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>
-<img src='images/i031.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>This Comicality, which had cost my
-Father and <i>Mark</i> sundry Hours of evening
-Labour,—(I had made the Dresses,) drew
-Crowds of People to the Window, so as
-even to obstruct the Passage along the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>Bridge; and excited Peals of ironical
-Laughter; till, at length, Mirth proceeding
-to Mischief, Blows began to ensue
-among those who favoured opposite Sides.
-Then the Bridgewardens came with Constables
-and Weapons to quell the Disturbance,
-and an idle Fellow was set in the
-Cage, and another, with long Hair, put in
-the Stocks; and one or two of our Panes
-of Glass were broken; so that what began
-in Sport ended much too seriously; and
-my Father, finding he must yield to the
-Times, changed the Cavalier’s Placard into
-“See what you had better be,” and finally
-removed it altogether, saying he was
-nauseated with time-serving. But he
-persisted in wearing his own long Hair,
-come what would; which drew from the
-Reverend Master <i>Blower</i> that Similitude
-about the <i>Trojan</i> Horse, who, I suppose,
-persisted in wearing his Mane and long
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>Tail after they had become Types of a
-Party. And when my Father was called
-in question for it by one of the Bridgewardens,
-and asked why he persevered in
-troubling <i>Israel</i>, he with his usual Spirit
-retorted upon him with, “How can a
-Tonsor be expected to hold with a Party
-that puts Pence into his Till instead
-of Shillings?” Whereupon the Bridgewarden
-called him a self-interested <i>Demas</i>,
-and said no more to him.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> upheld him through
-thick and thin, laughing all the while;
-though he kept his own bushy Head as
-short as a Blacking-brush. Indeed, this
-Man, though the Essence of Mirth and
-Good-humour, strongly built, and six
-Foot high, had not a Quarter of my
-Father’s Valour.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>As for Master <i>Blower</i>, he made a wry
-Face on it, saying that Magnasheh
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>Miksheh (which I afterwards heard was
-Hebrew for well-set Hair) was now of no
-Account.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—One Evening,—I have good Reason
-to remember it,—the Days being sultry
-and at their longest,—we made a Pleasure-party
-to <i>Greenwich</i>, and took Water below
-the Bridge. Coming back just as the
-Moon was rising, a Boat-full of uproarious
-and half-intoxicated young Men fell foul
-of us and upset us. I shall never forget
-my Sensations as I went into the Water!—The
-next Minute, I was half out of it
-again, and found <i>Mark’s</i> Arm close round
-me, while with the other he struck out,
-and presently brought me ashore. My
-dear Father also rescued my Mother; and
-<i>Hugh Braidfoot’s</i> long Legs helped him
-more in wading out like a Heron, I think,
-than his Arms in swimming, for he, too,
-presently came aland, covered with Mud.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>My Mother and I cried, and felt very
-grateful to <i>Mark</i>, who stood panting and
-colouring, and looking very much pleased
-with himself; and presently we were all
-in another Boat on our Way to the Bridge
-Stairs, drenched, quiet, and thankful for
-our providential Escape.... I, especially,
-feeling, oh! how happy!—Yet, in after
-Days, there was a Time when I was
-ready to wish <i>Mark</i> had left me in the
-River—.</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i035.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>
-  <h2 id='ch03' class='c007'>CHAPTER III</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Result of the Water-Party.</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-t.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-THE only Person in the
-Boat, who was left for
-the Boatman to save,
-was Mistress <i>Glossop</i>, the
-Widow of a <i>Cheapside</i>
-Hairdresser in a much larger Way of
-Business than my Father, with whom we
-were on very intimate Terms. She was a
-Woman of about forty-five, tall, bulky, and
-with a very heated Face, which was the
-Result of Intemperance, not in drinking,
-but eating, as I have often heard her acknowledge.
-She was fond of Everything
-nice, and had a Habit of saying, “Oh,
-I can’t resist this!” “I never can resist
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>that!” which used to disgust me with
-her; and make me ready to say, “More
-Shame for you if you cannot.” She and
-her Husband had always been well to
-do; and now she was Mistress of a large
-Business, with Court-patronage, such as it
-was, and a Foreman and three ’Prentices
-under her; besides keeping a professed
-Cook, Housemaid, and Scullion. And
-whereas she and Master <i>Glossop</i> had
-always been Companions and Gossips of
-my Father and Mother, whose Ages were
-suitable to them, yet, now she had cast
-off her Weeds, she went mighty fine;
-and <i>Mark</i>, who thought her sufficiently
-unagreeable, though he often went on
-Errands to her, said he was sure she was
-casting about for a second. To a Woman
-of her Habit, the Ducking she got was
-unlikely to be of much Good; and as for
-her flame-coloured Mantua, and pea-green
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>Mantle, they were ruined outright: however,
-she was very merry about it, and
-as we were all engaged to sup with her,
-would hear of no excuse. Howbeit, my
-Mother was too wet for doing Anything
-but going Home and to Bed: my Father
-would not leave her; <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> said
-he would join us, but did not; and the
-End was, that <i>Mark</i> and I, when we had
-dressed ourselves afresh and kept our Engagement,
-found Nobody to meet us but
-some <i>Cheapside</i> Shop-keepers who had not
-been on the Water. And though they
-made very merry, and though there were
-Lobsters, and Pound-cake, and Ducks, and
-green Peas, and fried Plum-pudding, and
-Gooseberry Pie, and other Delicacies too
-numerous to mention, I had no Mind to
-eat, but sat shivering, and scorching, and
-thinking of the Water closing over me;
-and at length, before any one else was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>ready to leave, begged Mistress <i>Glossop</i> to
-let me wish her Good-night.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Mark</i>, though he was in high Spirits,
-came away with me, and very kindly said
-he feared I was the worse for the Accident.
-And though he had been very
-talkative at the Supper-table, yet as soon
-as we got into the open Air we became
-as quiet as two Judges, and walked Home
-scarcely speaking a Word, till we came
-to that last one, “Good-night.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I had taken Cold, which, with a good
-deal of Fever attending it, made me very
-poorly for some Days; and my dear
-Mother, who did not show it so much
-at first, had in fact taken her Death-chill,
-though we knew it not till long afterwards.
-Meantime, she kept about; I
-seeming at first the worst of the two, and
-sitting by the Fire in a Cloke, very chilly,
-though ’twas close upon the Dog-days.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span><i>Violet Armytage</i> came over the Way to
-see me; and saith she, “Dear <i>Cherry</i>,
-how well <i>Mark</i> behaved! I shall think
-the better of him for it as long as I
-live!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I felt I should do so too, but had no
-Mind to speak much about it; and, my
-Cold being heavy, and making me indisposed
-to talk, she soon went away.
-Almost daily, however, she came across;
-and, when she did not, <i>Mark</i> went at her
-Desire to tell her how I was.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And so I got well; and just as I was
-fit for going out again, my dear Mother’s
-Illness became so apparent that I kept
-wholly to the House. At first we thought
-it troublesome rather than dangerous, and
-were not frightened; and, though I sat
-by her Bed almost all Day long, she would
-sometimes send me down to work below
-and keep an Eye to the House. Her Illness
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>subdued me a good deal; and <i>Mark</i>
-was become unwontedly gentle and silent;
-so that, though we scarce saw each other
-save at Meals, we said little; and yet I
-never felt him to be better Company.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Violet</i> sent me Word that unusual Press
-of Business in the Shop kept her from
-coming over, but begged I would never
-let a Day pass without sending her Word
-how my Mother was; which I did, though
-thinking, now and then, she might have
-just run over, if but for a Minute.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>One sultry Evening, my Mother being
-ready to compose herself to Sleep, bade
-me sit below till she rang for me, as she
-was sure the Room must be warm and
-close. It was so, in fact, and I was feeling
-a little faint, therefore was glad to sit at
-the open Casement of our Parlour behind
-the Shop. The Business of the Day was
-done; my Father was gossiping with
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span><i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> next Door; there was a
-pleasing Confusion of distant Sounds from
-the City and along the Water; Boatmen
-calling “Yo, heave ho,” and singing
-Snatches of Boat-songs; the Water trembling
-and murmuring among the Arches,
-and the Evening Air feeling soft and
-reviving.</p>
-
-<div id='i042'  class='figcenter id010'>
-<img src='images/i042.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>While I was thus sitting, all alone save
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>for <i>Dolly</i> in the Kitchen, and Master <i>Blower</i>
-on the first Story, <i>Mark</i> comes in and
-gives me a Posy, saying, “<i>Violet</i> sends you
-these Flowers:” and then remained,
-with his Hand resting on the Back of
-my Chair.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I know not how long we thus remained,
-quite silent, and I conscious of
-great Pleasure in his Presence; till at last,
-for want of Anything more important to
-say, I observed, “How pleasant the Evening
-Air is coming over the Water!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Very,” said he, without seeming to
-be thinking much about it: and again
-we were both quiet.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Cousin,” said he at length, in a very
-gentle Voice,—which was not his usual
-Way of addressing me, for in common he
-called me <i>Cherry</i>,—</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—“Dear Cousin, I have something to
-say to you”—and stopped.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>“What is it, <i>Mark</i>?” said I, softly.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“We have lived long together,” began
-he again, faintly laughing, “and I never
-felt afraid of speaking to you, before—How
-odd it is that I should feel so, now!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“What have you to be afraid about?”
-said I, looking up at him: on which he
-coloured and looked away; and I did the
-same, without knowing why.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You have always been my Friend,”
-resumed he, taking Courage; “you will
-not be angry with me?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why should I?” said I. “Is there
-Anything to be angry about?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Perhaps you may think so,” said he,
-“when you come to know all. Dear
-<i>Cherry</i>, I’m in Love!” And laughed,
-and then was silent.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I never felt so perplexed what to say
-next. “I don’t see that is any Matter of
-mine,” said I at length.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“Don’t you, though? But that depends
-upon whom I’m in Love with!”
-said he, smiling. “If it were with Anybody
-a hundred Miles off, that you had
-never seen or heard of, you might say it
-was no Matter of yours; but, <i>Cherry</i>,
-she’s not one Mile off! She’s the
-prettiest Girl on the Bridge!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Then,” said I, turning scarlet as I
-spoke, “it must certainly be <i>Violet Armytage</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It is!” cried he rapturously. “What
-a Guesser you are!—Dear <i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Oh! what a Bound my Heart gave;
-and then seemed to stop! For,—I’m
-only speaking to myself; to myself I may
-own the Truth—I had not thought he
-meant <i>Violet</i>!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah,” said he, after a long Silence,
-which I was as unable as he was disinclined
-to break, “I dare say you’ve seen
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>it all along—I may have told you no
-News—you are such a good Secret-keeper,
-<i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I could not yet say a Word—He had
-taken my Hand and wrung it; and I
-gently pressed his in Sign of Sympathy;
-it was all I could do, but it was quite
-enough.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“How kind you are!” said he. “What
-do you think my Uncle will say?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“What do you think her Father will
-say?” said I faintly.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“We are not going to tell him just yet,”
-returned he, “nor yet her Mother.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That sounds bad, <i>Mark</i>——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Nay, <i>Cherry</i>, you know how crazy
-the old Lady is to have <i>Braidfoot</i> for
-her Son-in-law; she’ll find in Time he
-won’t come forward, and <i>Violet</i> will take
-care he shall not, for she will give him
-no Encouragement; but, till her Mother
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>finds it won’t do, there’s no Use in my
-speaking, for you know I have nothing
-to marry upon, yet.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“When shall you have?” said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>When?</i>” repeated he, looking a little
-annoyed. “Why, <i>some of these Days</i>, as the
-Saying is. You know I am thorough
-Master of my Business now, have served
-my time, receive good Wages, and am
-very useful to your Father. Who knows
-but that, as Time goes on, he’ll take
-me for a Partner, and finally retire from
-Business?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, <i>Mark</i>, so little comes in now,
-that he will have nothing to retire
-upon. We can but just go on as we
-do.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” said he, laughing, with a little
-Embarrassment, “perhaps Mistress <i>Glossop</i>
-will take me into Partnership. I’m a
-Favourite in that Quarter.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“Mistress <i>Glossop</i>! Oh, <i>Mark</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Nay, <i>Cherry</i>, don’t you see, if old
-Master <i>Armytage</i> takes a Fancy to me,
-he may make it worth her while to
-do so, for the Sake of his ‘sweet
-<i>Wi-let</i>’?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, <i>Mark</i>, Master <i>Armytage</i> is himself
-in a very small Way of Business—nothing
-at all to compare with Mistress
-<i>Glossop’s</i>. <i>We</i> love and esteem them
-for old Acquaintance sake, but she looks
-quite down upon them. There are
-so many small Haberdashers on the
-Bridge!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, the smaller he is, the less
-Reason he will have to look down upon
-me. I suppose you don’t mean to say,
-<i>Cherry</i>, that no young Man thinks of
-Marriage unless he is better off than
-I am?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“So far from it, <i>Mark</i>, that I cannot
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>see what Right the <i>Armytages</i> have
-to expect a better Match for their
-Daughter; and therefore I think it a
-Pity there should be any Concealment.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Marry come up!” cries he, “I would
-rather draw a Double-tooth for a fiery
-Dragon than tell Master <i>Armytage</i> I
-was Suitor for his sweet <i>Wi-let</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, you will have to tell him
-sooner or later,” said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Not ... not if we wait till he
-dies,” said <i>Mark</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Dies!</i> oh, <i>Mark</i>!”——</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It’s ill, reckoning on dead Men’s
-Shoes, I own,” said he, looking rather
-ashamed.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It’s unfeeling and indelicate in the
-highest Degree,” said I. “Why should
-not <i>Violet</i> tell her Father?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, <i>Cherry</i>, she will not; and what’s
-more, she has made me solemnly promise
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>that <i>I</i> will not, at present; so you
-see there’s no more to be said. We
-must just go on, hoping and waiting,
-as many young Couples have done
-before us; knowing that we love one
-another—and is not that, for a While
-at least, enough?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I faintly said, “Yes.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You don’t speak so heartily, though,
-as I thought you would,” said he.
-“Don’t you sympathize with us, <i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I looked up at him with a Smile,
-though my Lip quivered, and said fervently,
-“Oh, yes!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That’s right!” said he gladly. “Now
-I shall feel that, whether Things go
-rough or smooth with me, you take
-cordial Part in them. <span class='sc'>God</span> bless you,
-<i>Cherry</i>! And if ever I’m in any little
-Difficulty with <i>Violet</i>, I shall come to
-you for Advice and Help, rely upon
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>it!—Hark, there is your Mother’s
-Bell.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I ran off, glad to leave him; and
-found my Mother coughing, and in want
-of some Water. When she had recovered
-herself, and composed herself again to
-Sleep, I sat by her Casement, looking
-out on the same Scene I had been gazing
-on an Hour before; but oh! with what
-different Feelings!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>The Trouble of my Soul taught me
-how much I had cared for him, what
-Expectations I had nourished of him,
-what Disappointment I felt in him. All
-was changed, all was shivered: never to
-be built up again! And yet no one knew
-what Hopes were wrecked within me.—The
-World was going on just the same!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I thought how kind my Father and
-Mother had been to him, and how likely
-it was they had hoped he would marry
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>me, and how certainly, in that case, my
-Father would have shared his Business
-with him.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I thought how dull and forlorn a Place
-the World would now seem to me, but
-resolved they should never know it. I
-would go on, in all Respects, just the
-same.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Large Tears were flowing unrestrained
-down my Cheeks, when Master <i>Blower’s</i>
-Bell, having been once rung already, was
-now pulled again with some Impatience;
-and as <i>Dolly</i> had stepped out, I answered
-it myself, and found he wanted his
-Supper, which he took at no particular
-Time, but just whenever he was inclined
-to lay aside his Reading or Writing. I
-might have spread the Table for him
-nineteen Times out of twenty, without
-his ever looking at me; however, on this
-Occasion he happened to have nothing
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>better to do, and observed I was in
-trouble.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Child,” said he, “is thy Mother
-worse?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No, Sir, I humbly thank you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Then,” says he, “Something else has
-happened to grieve thee, for thine
-Eyes are red with weeping. What is
-it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>But I could not tell him.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” said he, after a Pause, “young
-Girls may have their Griefs that they
-don’t care to tell about.—Man is born
-to Trouble, as the Sparks fly upward.
-And sometimes those Griefs we show
-least, we feel most. But remember,
-my good Girl, (for a good Girl, <i>Cherry</i>,
-thou art!) that there is One to whom
-we may always carry our Burthens;
-One who can ease them, too, either by
-giving us Strength to bear them, or by
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>removing them altogether.—Go pray,
-my Child, go pray!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And I did as he bade me, and found
-Balm for a bleeding Heart. He was a
-good and wise Man, was Master <i>Blower</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When my Mother awoke, she said,
-“<i>Cherry</i>, I don’t know what has come
-over me, but I feel a Peace and a
-Quiet past expressing ... I should
-not wonder if you have been praying
-for me, my Child.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I pressed her Hand and said, “Yes,
-Mother, I have ... and for myself
-too.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“This Illness of mine may be a Blessing
-in Disguise to us both,” said she
-after a Pause—“it has taught me your
-Value, <i>Cherry</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“What a funny Story,” resumed she presently,
-quietly smiling, “might be written
-by a clever Hand about a Person who
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>always fancied herself undervalued! ‘<i>The
-Undervalued Woman!</i>’—There are a good
-many such in the World, I fancy; poor
-Things, it seems no Joke to <i>them</i>. People
-who have that Impression of themselves
-generally take such silly Methods to
-prevent their being overlooked! They
-had better make themselves of real Importance,
-by being useful and thoughtful
-for others. They had better take Pattern
-by <i>you</i>, <i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>How dear, a Mother’s Praise! Especially
-when so seldom bestowed!</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i055.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>
-  <h2 id='ch04' class='c007'>CHAPTER IV</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Chelsea Buns</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-v.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-VIOLET seemed afraid (and
-yet why should she be?) to
-come near me, after <i>Mark’s</i>
-Communication; and, as
-my dear Mother could ill
-spare me, I kept close House. We now
-felt the Blessing of having a discreet and
-godly Minister for our Inmate; for Master
-<i>Blower</i> read and prayed much with my
-Mother, and comforted her greatly by
-his Discoursings. I likewise derived Benefit
-from the good Seed he scattered, which
-fell, as it were, into Ground much softened
-by heavy Rain.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I was able and inclined to step
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>across to <i>Violet</i>, I found only Master
-<i>Armytage</i> in the Shop; who said to me
-with some Shortness, “You will find my
-Daughters within,—I wish your Father
-would find Something more profitable
-for your Cousin to do, than to be
-always in our Parlour, a-hindering of
-Business.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I knew <i>Mark</i> was not there just then,
-at any Rate, having left him at Home;
-and, stepping into Master <i>Armytage’s</i>
-Back-room, I only found there a pale,
-gentle-looking Girl, with large, brown
-Eyes, diligently putting Shop-marks to
-a Box of new Ribbons. I knew her
-for <i>Kitty</i>, though her return Home was
-News to me; and, having not much to
-say to a Stranger, I asked her how she
-liked the <i>Bridge</i>. She said, “Not at all;
-I have been used to look upon Trees
-and Fields, and miss the Green; the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>Noises make my Head ache, and my
-Mother keeps me so close to my Work,
-that I pine for fresh Air.” I said, “Sure
-there is enough of it blowing through
-that open Window from the River!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Do you call it fresh?” said she, rather
-contemptuously. “I do not, I can tell
-you! Instead of being scented with
-Cows’ Breath and new-mown Hay, it
-comes from Tan-yards and Butchers’
-Shops.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When <i>Violet</i> came in, she blushed very
-red, but we only spoke of indifferent Subjects:
-and, strange as it was of two such
-close Intimates, we never, from that Time
-forward, had any closer Communication.
-Perhaps it was her Fault, perhaps it was
-mine: or perhaps, no Fault of either, but
-a just and becoming Sense of what was
-best for two modest Girls in our new
-Relation. For, though it needed not to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>be supposed that she knew Anything of
-what was passing in my Mind, I am
-persuaded that she did.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And thus the Families fell apart; and
-<i>Mark</i> never renewed his Confidences to
-me after that first Evening; and, if he had
-Moments of keen Pleasure now and then,
-I am persuaded he had Hours of Pain he
-had never known before. For <i>Violet</i> was
-capricious and coquettish, and sometimes
-would vex him by being unreasonable and
-hard to please: at other Times, by laying
-herself out to please others, as Master
-<i>Braidfoot</i>, and their Lodger Master <i>Clarke</i>.
-And though she gave out to <i>Mark</i> that
-this was only for a Feint, to draw off
-the Attention of her Father and Mother
-from himself, yet sometimes it was certainly
-with no other Purpose than to
-plague him, and at other Times, I fear,
-with no better Purpose than to please
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>herself; and I know it cost him many
-a Tear.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Poor <i>Mark</i>! how my Heart ached for
-him, and swelled against her, when I
-found him one Evening with his Arms
-on the Table, and his Head on his Arms,
-and saw, when he looked up, that he had
-been crying. He rose, and looked out of
-Window, and said, “Has it done raining
-yet? I think I have been asleep!”
-But I knew he had not.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>All his Money now went in fine Clothes
-for himself, and Presents for her; so that
-if he needed a little Purse against his
-Marriage Day, he was not going the Way
-to fill it.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>There was great Talk among the young
-People, about this Time, of an Excursion
-up the River, to eat Buns and drink Whey
-at <i>Chelsea</i>. I was invited to join them,
-but declined, on account of my Mother:
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>but <i>Mark</i> was to go, and could think of
-Nothing else. I washed and starched his
-Collar and Bands myself, and sewed a new
-Lace on his Hat. He wore a plain silver-grey
-Cloth Suit, which was sober, but
-very becoming, for he never affected strong
-Contrasts, like my Father. Knowing he
-was fond of a Flower in his Button-hole,
-but was pressed for Time to get one, I
-gave a little Girl a Penny to run down
-to the Market for the best Moss-rose she
-could buy, and gave it him myself. He
-thanked me most pleasantly for it, and
-looked so comely and cheerful, that when
-he went forth, I could not help standing
-just behind the Window-blind, to look
-after him, and to see the gay Party set
-out from Master <i>Armytage’s</i>. First, a Boy
-was sent forward, with a great Basket full
-of Veal-pies and other Dainties; then
-came out Master <i>Armytage</i>, with Mistress
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span><i>Glossop</i>, who had condescended to join the
-Party, and wore a peach-blossom Silk,
-with pea-green Ribbons. Then Mistress
-<i>Armytage</i>, with a little Basket covered up,
-no Doubt containing Something very precious;
-and <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> by himself,
-with his Hands in his Pockets, as if he
-expected to be asked to carry it, and did
-not mean to offer, walking a little in
-Advance of her; then <i>Violet</i>, looking
-sweet! between <i>Mark</i> and Master <i>Clarke</i>—(I
-know she liked having two better
-than one, whatever might be her Value
-for either;) and then <i>Kitty</i>, who by Rights
-should have had one or other of them,
-slowly following with Master and Mistress
-<i>Benskin</i>. I observed her to be a very
-little lame, but Nothing to speak of.</p>
-
-<div id='i063'  class='figcenter id011'>
-<img src='images/i063.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Well! the Day was fine, the Water
-looked lovely, there was Nothing to prevent
-their having a most charming Party
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>of Pleasure, unless it were their own
-Fault. I thought of them many Times,
-as I sat quietly weaving Hair at my
-Mother’s Bedside; and fancied them floating
-on the River, landing under tall Trees,
-rambling among Meadows, sitting on the
-Grass, eating and drinking in the Shade,
-and scattering in small Parties. I fancied
-what I should do and feel if I were <i>Violet</i>,
-and how <i>Mark</i> would comport himself,
-and what he would say: but, when I
-looked on my Mother’s pain-worn Face,
-I did not wish to change Places.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>They did not come Home till very
-late; much too late. I had persuaded my
-Father to go to Bed, and let me sit up for
-<i>Mark</i>, for Fear of disturbing my Mother.
-He said <i>Dolly</i> might as well sit up too;
-however, she proved heavy to sleep, so I
-sent her to Bed.</p>
-
-<div id='i066'  class='figcenter id012'>
-<img src='images/i066.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>And looked on the Bridge</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then I sat at my Window, which was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>over Master <i>Blower’s</i> Sitting-room, and
-looked out on the <i>Bridge</i>. The Harvest-moon,
-brightly shining, made our Side
-of the Way as light as Day, but Master
-<i>Armytage’s</i> Side was in deep Shade. I
-heard <i>St. Magnus’s</i> Clock, and <i>St. Paul’s</i>,
-and <i>St. Mary Overy’s</i>, strike Eleven.
-Then I saw some dark Figures coming
-along in the Shade, and stop at Master
-<i>Armytage’s</i> Door, and knock up the Maid,
-who, after long Delay, came sleepily to
-the Door with a Candle. Then the others,
-who had been talking, but not much, like
-People who were very tired after too long
-a Day’s Pleasure, said “Good-night;”
-and I saw <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> shake Hands
-with the Girl on his Arm, and step across
-to his own Door in the broad Moonshine.
-Master and Mistress <i>Benskin</i> had gone
-Home before, and let themselves in with
-the House-key. I counted those that
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>entered Master <i>Armytage’s</i>, and only made
-out his own Family. <i>Mark</i> had doubtless
-seen Mistress <i>Glossop</i> to her own Door,
-as was right and fitting. For him, then,
-I must expect to wait a good While
-longer: and I <i>did</i> wait a good While;
-till all the Clocks struck Twelve. Just
-as they had done striking, I heard and
-knew his Step, and opened the Door
-without his knocking.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Have you had a pleasant Day?”
-said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I looked at him as I spoke, and shall
-never forget his Face!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—“Good-night,” said he shortly;
-“we’ll talk it over to-morrow,”—</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And impatiently took from my Hands
-his Candle, which I was trying to light
-for him at mine. But it had been snuffed
-too short, and would not light as readily
-as he wished; which made him curse it
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>in a low, deep Voice. I had never heard
-him swear before.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Mark</i>,” said I, looking anxiously at
-him, “you are ill.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No, I’m not,” said he abruptly; “Good-night.
-Thank you for sitting up for me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I’m not at all tired,” said I, “and
-there’s some Supper for you in the
-Kitchen. Let us go there, and have a
-little Chat over the Pleasures of the
-Day—you don’t look sleepy.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>From white he turned to deep red.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“The Day has not been so pleasant as
-you suppose,” said he huskily; “you
-have been better and happier at your
-Mother’s Bedside. I wish there were
-more such as you in the World. Good-night,
-dear, good <i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—And sprang up Stairs without another
-Word, taking two Steps at a Time. I
-went to Bed, but not to sleep; I could
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>not get his strange Look and Manner out
-of my Head.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>The next Morning, at Breakfast-time,
-<i>Mark</i> did not appear. <i>Dolly</i> said he had
-gone out early. My Father was angry,
-and sent across the Way for him, knowing
-he was but too often at Master <i>Armytage’s</i>.
-But <i>Dolly</i> brought back Word they had
-seen Nothing of him. Then we concluded
-he had gone for an early Walk, as
-was often his Custom, and had outstayed
-his Time. However, we breakfasted
-without him at length, and still he did
-not come back.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Confound that Boy,” said my patient
-Father at last—(thus, the Fault of one
-Party provoked the Sin of another,)—“it’s
-plaguy tiresome of him to be playing
-Truant this Morning, of all Days
-in the Year, for I have pressing Business
-in <i>Eastcheap</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>“Leave me in Charge of the Shop,
-<i>Father</i>,” said I,—“my Mother’s Cough
-is quiet, now she is dozing; and I shall
-hear her Bell.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, I suppose I must,” said he very
-reluctantly; “but I shall trounce Master
-<i>Mark</i> well for his Conduct when I see
-him next, he may rely upon it!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So he left me in Charge; and my
-loved Mother being in a Kind of lethargic
-Slumber, which often lasted many
-Hours, I left the Doors open between
-us, and sat in the Shop. As Fate would
-have it, not a single Customer looked in
-the whole Time my Father was away;
-which was lucky, though we did not feel
-very thankful, in usual, for this Falling-off
-in Business. Before he returned, <i>Mark</i> came
-in, and beckoned me into the Parlour.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“What is the Matter?” said I, with
-a violently beating Heart.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>“I’ve done it!” said he breathlessly.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Done what?” said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Married!” said he: and hid his Face
-in his Hands.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Dear <i>Mark</i>, how imprudent!” I exclaimed
-affectionately; “what <i>will</i> the
-<i>Armytages</i> say?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“What will they, <i>indeed</i>!” repeated
-he, “<i>Violet</i> especially! She drove me
-to it!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Violet?</i> <i>Drove</i> you to marry her?”
-I cried.—It sounded so strange!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh, <i>Cherry</i>! what <i>will</i> you say? It
-makes me shudder to tell you!” he
-rapidly said; “Nothing but that Girl’s
-incorrigible Coquetry could have made
-me break with her as I did; and then
-Reproaches led to Taunts, and Taunts
-to Threatenings, till bad led to worse,
-and she twitted me with my Poverty,
-and I told her I could be a richer Man
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>in twenty-four Hours than her Father,
-and look down upon them all, and she
-dared me to it, and said a better Man
-than me was waiting for her, and so—Temptation
-to be revenged on her came
-in my Way, and—I’ve married Mistress
-<i>Glossop</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh, <i>Mark</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—“Nay, <i>Cherry</i>, don’t give way so,”
-said he, beginning to shed Tears himself
-when he saw me weeping bitterly,—“Love
-is not a Man’s whole Life, and
-what I’ve tasted of it hasn’t made me
-very happy. I’ve stepped into a famous
-Business, and I shall have a quiet Fireside,
-and a capital Table, and kind
-Looks if not pretty ones, and—a done
-Thing can’t be undone: so there’s an
-End on’t!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then, fancying he heard my Father’s
-Step, though ’twas only Master <i>Blower’s</i>,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>he hastily exclaimed, “You must tell
-my Uncle—Good-bye, <i>Cherry</i>!” and
-hurried out of the House.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When he was gone, I sat in a Kind of
-Stupor.... <i>Married?</i> and to such a
-Wife!—How <i>could</i> he?—how could <i>she</i>?
-... and this increased my Amazement,
-for he had been beside himself with Anger
-and Jealousy, and hardly knew what he
-was doing,—but that she, cool, collected,
-and at her Time of Life, could have closed
-with his Proposals without the Delay of a
-single Day!—how disgusting!—Ah, she
-was afraid of losing him!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—Immersed in these sad Thoughts,
-with my Hands clasped on my Lap, I
-was unaware of my Father’s Return till
-he stood before me. I started.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Has <i>Mark</i> returned?” cried he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“He came back, and is again gone,”
-said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>“The young Rascal!” exclaimed my
-Father very passionately; “what does he
-mean by this outrageous Conduct? I’ve
-a great Mind to lock the Door against
-him when he comes back!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Father</i>, he will never come back!—He
-is married! ... married to Mistress
-<i>Glossop</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And, trying to speak composedly, all
-would not do; the Tears rained from my
-Eyes.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>My Father remained perfectly mute.
-I could understand his Amazement, his
-Vexation, by my own; accompanied, as
-I knew it must be in his Case, by great
-Anger. I expected every Moment to
-hear some violent Expression of Indignation:
-he had been so unusually displeased
-with him already for what was comparatively
-a Trifle.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>All at once, I found myself folded in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>his Arms. He did not say a Word; but
-the longer he held me, the more and more
-I felt that his Hopes for me had been
-ruined as well as mine, that his Schemes
-and Visions of the Future were all dispersed
-and overclouded, that he knew
-Something of what was passing within
-me, and felt Sympathy without having
-the Power of expressing it.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,—” said he, releasing me at last,—and
-I saw that his Eyes were wet,—“Man
-proposes, but <span class='sc'>God</span> disposes. We’ve
-had an Escape from this young Man.
-Ungrateful young Fellow! And blind
-to his own Interest, too, for I could
-have done better for him, <i>Cherry</i>, than
-he knows of. But—he deserves his
-Fate. A miserable one it will be!
-He’ll never prosper!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh, <i>Father!</i> don’t prophesy against
-him! We need not wish him ill.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>“I don’t wish him ill,” returned he,
-“but he’ll come to no Good. He has
-done for himself in this Marriage. And
-so, <i>Cherry</i>, you’ll see!”</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i076.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>
-  <h2 id='ch05' class='c007'>CHAPTER V</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>A Shadow on the House</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-o.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-OH! how dreary now seemed
-the House! Its Light and
-its Life were gone. The
-unseen Presence of Love
-no longer gladdened it,
-and the Shadow of Death was slowly
-creeping on.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Violet</i> came to pour out her Wretchedness
-and her Self-reproaches to me as soon
-as she heard what had happened. She
-declared she could never be happy again—she
-could never cease thinking of him.
-I told her it would be very wicked of
-her now, to think of him in the Way she
-meant, any more. For saying which, I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>suppose she was offended at me; for she
-did not come near me again for a good
-While.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I don’t suppose Tears are often shed
-over thick Slices of Bride-cake, with Sugar
-and Almonds an Inch deep, such as <i>Violet</i>
-and I received (tied up with such vulgar
-white Satin Knots!) from Mistress <i>Glossop</i>,
-now, alas! Mistress <i>Blenkinsop</i>. When I
-took it up to my Mother, she turned away
-her Head, and said with her gentle Smile,
-“You may give my Share to <i>Dolly</i>,—perhaps
-she will like it to dream upon.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “I don’t believe <i>Dolly</i> will touch
-it;” however, there I was mistaken.
-She said, “Law, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>, I’m sure
-Mistress is very good.... I grudge
-the eating of it, too; for ’tis an unseemly
-Match, I calls it; but, there,—one don’t
-get such Cake as this every Day!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I repeated this Saying to my
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>Mother, she said, “She belongs to the
-<i>Glossop</i> School, <i>Cherry</i>, that <i>never can
-forbear</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Mistress <i>Blenkinsop</i> would have been
-glad, I fancy, to show off her young
-Husband on the <i>Bridge</i>; but she received
-no Encouragement; and as for <i>Mark</i>, who
-had certainly intended to pique <i>Violet</i>, he
-was now as wretched as herself, to judge
-from his Looks, as reported to us by one
-or two who had seen Something of what
-was going on. Happy or unhappy, he
-never came near us, on Business or Pleasure;
-and as my Father dropped the
-Connexion, which was more to his Loss
-than Mistress <i>Blenkinsop’s</i>, we now saw
-Nothing of one another. For I scarce
-went out at all; but now and then Mistress
-<i>Benskin</i> would let fall how she had
-met the <i>Blenkinsops</i> going to such and
-such a Place of Public Resort; he looking
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>ashamed and tired of his Companion; and
-she as fine as the Rainbow. For she
-would not only see <i>Funamble Turk</i>, and
-pay her Shilling to ride round <i>Hyde Park</i>,
-but intrude herself among the Quality in
-<i>Mulberry Garden</i>, I warrant her!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>About this Time Master <i>Armytage</i> died.
-Thereby his Family sustained great Loss,
-not only of a kind Husband and Father,
-but of worldly Goods; for the Widow
-only got a Third of the Worth of the
-Business, and the Son, who was married
-and not very friendly with her, choosing
-to live on the Premises and carry on the
-Concern, she and her Daughters presently
-went into an exceeding small House in the
-<i>Borough</i>, where they opened a little Shop
-that did not answer very well. After a
-While, <i>Violet</i>, unused to such scant Living,
-was glad to come back as Shopwoman to
-her Brother, whose Wife had no Turn for
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>Business; but it went sore against her to
-be Second in the House where she had
-hitherto been always treated like First;
-and also it was a Grievance to her to
-live among a Family of young Children.
-These Trials fretted her till they impaired
-her Beauty, making her grow peevish and
-thin.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Meantime, her younger Sister took
-Plain-work when she could get it; and
-the <i>Benskins</i> and <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> supplied
-her with what they could, which she accepted
-gratefully; though, in her Father’s
-Life-time, it would have quite affronted
-Mistress <i>Armytage</i> that her Girls should
-set a Stitch for either of them. But
-Times were altered now; she was unable
-even to keep a Servant; and, one Day,
-when I looked in upon her, I noticed so
-many little Symptoms of Poverty, that, on
-repeating them to my Mother, she made
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>me put up a Variety of little Presents for
-her, and take them to her with her old
-Neighbour’s Love.</p>
-
-<div id='i082'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i082.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I reached her House, I found
-her on her Knees, scouring the Door-step
-with such Zeal and Noise, that I could
-not at first make her hear my Voice, or
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>become sensible of my Presence. When
-she did, she did not appear particularly
-glad to see me, but pulled her Pail out of
-my Way, and said, “Oh!—You’ll find
-<i>Kitty</i> within—<i>Kitty! Kitty!</i>”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And just within the Door, sure enough,
-was <i>Kitty</i> standing with her Back to me,
-before Master <i>Braidfoot</i>, who was seated,
-with a fringed Glove in his Hand, and
-holding forth to her very earnestly. He
-had sent her a Box of Gloves to fringe,
-and I suppose she had not trimmed them
-to his Mind, for she was hanging her
-Head, and looking very uncomfortable.
-As soon as he saw me, he brought his
-Discourse to a Finish by saying, “Of
-which, more anon;” and nodding a
-Good-bye to me, stepped over Mistress
-<i>Armytage’s</i> Pail, and walked off. Mistress
-<i>Armytage</i> now came in, taking off
-her Apron in a great Bustle; and seemingly
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>much more glad to see me than she
-had been just before. And she received
-my Mother’s Presents in mighty good
-Part, especially the Brandy-cherries, which
-had been put in quite as an After-thought,
-saying they would make a pretty little
-Dish for Supper. I thought she and <i>Kitty</i>
-had been more in the Way of Bread-and-Cheese
-Suppers now, but made no Comment.
-Some People would as soon die
-as not try to be thought genteel.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I had nearly reached Home, I
-saw <i>Mark</i> coming along the Bridge, in a
-hesitating, reluctant Sort of Way. When
-he saw me, he stepped out more briskly,
-and came up, holding out his Hand.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” said he, lowering his Voice,
-“my old Lady and I had almost a Tiff
-this Morning, because she wanted you
-and my Uncle to come and eat some
-of the first green Peas of the Season
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>with us, and I told her I did not think
-you would. But, will you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank you kindly,” said I, “but my
-Mother is so ill, we have no Heart to
-go anywhere now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I knew it was so,” said he, looking
-relieved; “but you will not think me
-unfeeling, I hope, for putting the
-Question?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh no, I think it very kind of you,”
-said I; “I take it as I know it was meant.
-Won’t you come in? We have seen
-nothing of you for a long Time.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank you, not just now,” said he;
-“good-bye.” And walked off as if he
-were in a great Hurry.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I returned to my dear Mother,
-she said, “<i>Cherry</i>, I’m sure you will be
-amused when I tell you what I have
-been dreaming about,—I dreamed you
-were married!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>I said, “Dear Mother, if you take to
-dreaming, and my Father to presaging,
-there’ll be Nothing left to be surprised
-about!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, well,” said she, gently smiling,
-“but this was a very pretty, pleasant
-Dream—You were married to a Person
-a good Deal older than yourself, but
-very much to your own Mind, notwithstanding,
-and were living like a
-Lady, with Everything genteel and
-comfortable about you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I smiled to cover a Sigh; and kissing
-her thin Hand, said, “May you live,
-dear Mother, to see it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No,” said she, “I know I shall not do
-that—my Time is growing very short
-now; but yet I shall leave you in
-Peace, <i>Cherry</i>,—I am so certain of your
-doing well. I don’t mean because of
-this foolish Dream.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>“As for doing well,” said I, “<span class='sc'>God’s</span>
-Blessing generally rests on the Child
-of many Prayers, ... but if by doing
-well, you mean marrying well, do you
-think that is the only Way I can be
-happy?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No,” said she, after a Pause, “I do
-not. I think there is no other Happiness
-equal to it, where the Parties are
-well assorted, and are good to the Core;
-but much depends upon each other, and
-much upon themselves; so much, that
-it had often been better for them they
-had never met.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“And as so few <i>are</i> good to the Core,”
-said I, “perhaps the Balance of Happiness
-may not lie on the Side you
-think.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Perhaps not,” said she, “but every one
-hopes to be the Exception.—However,”
-she added, after another Pause, “these
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>Things are not of our ordering; and
-whatever be the happier Lot, it is certain
-we cannot secure it unless it be
-appointed us, whether for ourselves or
-for those we dearly love. It may be
-<span class='sc'>God’s</span> Will that you shall be <i>Cherry
-Curling</i> all your Days, in Spite of my
-Dream, and in Spite of your being fitted
-for Happiness in another State; but
-that it is His Purpose to make you
-happy <i>in yourself</i>, whatever you are, I
-feel as sure of as that I see you now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I told her what Satisfaction the
-Brandy-cherries had given, she smiled
-quietly, and said, “The same Woman,
-still!—You shall take her some potted
-Salmon to-morrow.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I did so; but did not, this Time, find
-the Widow cleaning her Door-step. She
-had gone to Market; the Shop was
-empty, and I walked through it into the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>little Parlour beyond. Here I again came
-upon <i>Kitty</i> and <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i>: she was
-sitting this Time, and he standing, and,
-the Moment she saw me, she snatched
-away her Hand from him, which he was
-holding, and ran up Stairs. I felt very
-awkward, and was retreating without a
-Word; but he, turning about upon me
-with a Sort of homely, manly Dignity,
-a Mixture of Placid and Resolute in
-his Manner that I never saw before,
-and which became him very well,
-held out his Hand to me, and said,
-“You see, <i>Cherry</i>, how it is to be.
-There’ll soon be a Wedding in this
-House. The old Lady has meant there
-should be, all along; but what though?
-Shall a Man that knows his own Mind
-be stayed from it for Fear of playing
-into a managing Woman’s Hands? Had
-the Widow been less eager, the Thing
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>might have been sooner brought about;
-however, you and I have known her
-longer than Yesterday—she’s <i>Kitty’s</i>
-Mother; and enough’s said!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I wished him Joy, and said I thought
-he and <i>Kitty</i> would be very happy together.
-Then, setting down my Mother’s
-little Gift on the Table, I turned to go
-away. “What’s that?” said he. “Only
-a little potted Salmon for Mistress <i>Armytage</i>,”
-said I. “I’ll call <i>Kitty</i> down,”
-said he; and going to the Stair-foot, he
-called “<i>Kitty! Kitty!</i>” but she did not
-answer; and giving me a knowing Smile,
-he said, “I don’t think she’ll come down
-while we are both here.”—“I’m going,”
-said I; “but here comes Mistress <i>Armytage</i>
-from Market.” “Oh, then, I’m going
-too!” cried he, laughing and catching
-up his Hat. “I’ve no Mind to break the
-News to the Widow, so come your
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>Ways, <i>Cherry</i>, we’ll walk to the <i>Bridge</i>
-together; don’t look behind you.”...
-“’Tis Pity o’ my Life,” continued he,
-smiling, when we had walked a little Way
-together, “that respect her I cannot; for
-you see, <i>Cherry</i>, a Man can never respect
-a Woman whom he sees trying to draw
-him in! He may walk into her Trap
-with his Eyes open, and let her save
-him some Trouble, but respect her or
-trust her, is out of his Power. First,
-she wanted to have me for <i>Violet</i>: that
-would not do—then, <i>Kitty</i> was kept out
-of Sight till she found I would not have
-the other; but as soon as she found
-I liked the youngest Sister best, poor
-<i>Violet</i> was put in the Shade, and <i>Kitty’s</i>
-Turn came. ’Tis ill to speak this Way
-of one’s Mother-in-Law elect; I hope
-she’ll breed no Trouble between us
-when she’s Mother-in-Law in earnest;
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>I should like to pension the old Gentlewoman
-off, but that can’t well be; so
-we must let her have the Run of the
-House, and try to make her comfortable
-as long as she lets us be so.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then, turning to a more agreeable
-Subject, he sang <i>Kitty’s</i> Praises; and,
-reaching his own Door, hoped she and
-I should be good Neighbours. “Your
-Father and you must come to the
-Wedding-dinner,” said he; “we may
-not have as many good Things as the
-<i>Blenkinsops</i> had, but I fancy ’twill be a
-cheerfuller Dinner.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I told my Mother the News,
-she took it very composedly, but I observed
-her Eyelids give one little, involuntary
-Movement, that betrayed more
-Surprise than she was willing to show.
-“Ah, my dear Mother,” thought I,
-“another of your little Castles in the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>Air for me has been thrown down, I
-fear. This was, no Doubt, the Hero
-of the Dream, who was to make me
-so comfortable! What a lucky Thing
-that I care not a Rush for him!”
-However, we never said a Word to one
-another on the Subject.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So the Wedding took place, and my
-Father and I were at the Dinner, which
-consisted of every Nicety that Money
-could procure; for Mistress <i>Armytage</i> said
-that <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> should have all his
-favourite Dishes, and she took Care to
-have her own, whether they corresponded
-or not. So there was roast Pig and
-pickled Salmon, Calf’s Head and green
-Goose, Lobster Salad and Marrow-bones,
-and more Sweets than I ever saw out of
-a Pastry-cook’s Shop. As some Things
-were in Season and others were not, the
-latter, though sweet in the Mouth, were
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>bitter in Digestion; I mean, to Master
-<i>Braidfoot</i> when he came to pay the Bills.
-And then Mistress <i>Armytage</i>, ashamed of
-having exceeded becoming Limits, went
-about to several of the Tradesmen, who
-were <i>Hugh Braidfoot’s</i> personal Friends,
-and who already were displeased enough
-at not having been invited to the Feast;
-and she incensed them the more by trying
-to get them to lower their Bills, which
-they thought and called excessive mean.
-Thereby, Mistress <i>Armytage</i> got into bad
-Odour, and <i>Kitty</i> came in for her Share,
-and shed her first Tears after Marriage
-upon it, which I wish had been her last.
-However, Master <i>Braidfoot</i> laughed the
-Matter off, in a jovial, careless Sort of a
-Way; and went round himself and paid
-every one in full, and made Friends with
-them with a few merry Sayings; so Peace
-was restored, that Time.</p>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>
-  <h2 id='ch06' class='c007'>CHAPTER VI</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Metanoia</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-w.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-WHEN I see what a little
-Way the Solemnisation of
-Matrimony in the Common
-Prayer Book lies from the
-Burial-service for the Dead,
-(only separated by the Order for the Visitation
-of the Sick,) it makes me think
-how sometimes in actual Life Marriages
-and Funerals seem to tread upon the Heels
-of one another. Scarce were the Bills for
-Master <i>Braidfoot’s</i> Wedding-dinner paid,
-when my dear Mother, who had been fast
-but gently sinking, departed this Life
-without a Sigh. I had left her much
-as usual the Night before; but in the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>Morning was aware of a grey Shadow
-over her Face, unlike Anything I had yet
-seen, and impossible to describe, that made
-me sensible of the Presence of Death.
-My Father supported her in his Arms,
-Master <i>Blower</i> prayed aloud beside her, I
-bathed her Face with Vinegar, and <i>Dolly</i>
-ran for the Doctor; but just as he crossed
-our Threshold, she gently breathed her
-last.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>How empty the House seemed! For,
-though a Person may take no active Part
-in its Business, yet a Sense of their <i>Nearness</i>
-is accompanied by a constant Feeling
-of Companionship, such as I think we
-might feel with regard to our <span class='sc'>Heavenly
-Father</span> if we would look into the Fact
-of His being constantly about us a little
-more narrowly. Excellent Master <i>Blower</i>
-was a Tower of Strength to us under this
-Bereavement; knowing how to comfort
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>a Man better than I could, and possessed
-of more Calmness and Composedness than
-I could be expected to have, though he
-said his Heart bled for us all the while.
-But he set before us the Blessedness of
-my Mother in her glorified State so
-strongly, that it was impossible not to
-feel that our Loss was her Gain.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>While the House was yet darkened, I
-heard a hushed Voice that had become
-strange to my Ears of late, saying to my
-Father in the next Room, “I am sure,
-Uncle, if you would look upon it as a
-Mark of Respect.” ... And my Father,
-in Tears, made Answer to him, “I
-should, <i>Mark</i>, I should! I shall be
-glad for you to accompany us to the
-Grave; for, indeed, my Boy, she was
-very kindly affectioned towards you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And then cried again; and, I think,
-<i>Mark</i> cried too. It was Balm to my
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>Heart to think he was going to the
-Funeral. An ill-advised Deed had in the
-first Instance banished him from us, and,
-in Time, he had not only become reconciled
-to his Banishment, but, from what
-I made out of the Report of others, had
-learnt to rejoice in it. The first Signal
-of a better Frame was his <i>returning</i> to us,
-which cost him an Effort, and then <i>repaid
-itself</i>. Master <i>Blower</i> called it <i>Metanoia</i>,
-whatever that meant.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Violet</i> was very kind to me. All her
-old Affection for me now returned; and
-she would bring her Work and sit with
-me for Hours. Also the <i>Benskins</i> and
-<i>Braidfoots</i> were kind in their Way, though
-after a homely Fashion. But one that
-better understood comforting was nearer
-at Hand. One Evening, I heard Master
-<i>Blower</i>, as he met my Father on the
-Stairs, say, “Why, old Friend, we have
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>lived many a Year under the same Roof,
-and have never broken Bread together
-yet! Bring <i>Cherry</i> with you, and sup
-with me to-night!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>My disconsolate Father, being taken
-by Surprise, had no Power to refuse the
-Honour; <i>Dolly</i> was sent for a Crab, and
-we spent a very peaceful and pleasant
-Evening together, not ended without
-Prayer. As we left, the kind Man said,
-“Well, Friend, since you won’t ask me,
-I’ll ask myself to sup to-morrow Night
-with <i>you</i>.” And so he did; and many
-a rich and learned Man might have envied
-us the discreet and pleasant Guest
-that honoured our poor Table. From
-that Time, we thus spent two Evenings
-together every Week.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>By this Time my Friend <i>Kitty</i> had
-taken upon her all the Importance of a
-well-to-do Tradesman’s Wife, which fitted
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>her as well as one of her Husband’s best
-Pair of Gloves. Instead of Stuff and
-Dimity, flowered Chintz and even Silk
-was now the Wear! looped well up, too,
-to shew the grass-green quilted Petticoat
-and clocked Stockings. Nothing, Master
-<i>Braidfoot</i> thought, was too good for her.
-And instead of its being “good Husband,”
-“honoured Master <i>Braidfoot</i>,” so
-bashfully spoken, as at first, now it was
-“dear <i>Hugh</i>,” “sweet <i>Hugh</i>,” or “<i>Hugh</i>”
-by itself alone. And happy, without a
-Cloud, would the Lives of this worthy
-Couple have been but for the Hinderances
-of Mistress <i>Armytage</i>. Now it was her
-Parsimony in Something her Son-in-Law
-could well afford and desired to have;
-now her Expensiveness in Something for
-which she dared not give him the Bill;
-and then he would find it out, and rate
-her, half in Sport, and then she would
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>take Offence in right Earnest. Then
-<i>Kitty</i> would cry, and then her Mother
-would say she knew she was only in the
-Way, and would go off for a While to
-her old Quarters. When she got there,
-her Tongue lay not still, like a good
-House-dog in its Kennel, but must needs
-yap, yap, like a little Terrier, that flies
-at every Comer; and, to every Neighbour
-along the <i>Borough</i> it was, “Oh, you
-know not what a <i>Turk</i>...!”—“My
-poor, poor Daughter!”—“Temper of
-an Angel!”—“Will wear her out at
-last!”—“Never know a Man before
-he’s married!”—“Peace and Poverty
-for my Money” ... and such-like.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Meanwhile, <i>Hugh</i> and <i>Kitty</i> were as
-merry as Crickets in their own Chimney-corner,
-little guessing or caring what an
-ill Report of their Fireside was spreading
-all along <i>Southwark</i>: and if <i>Hugh</i> met e’er
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>a Neighbour’s Wife that gave him a dark
-Look, as much as to say, “Ah! for all
-your blythe Face, I know what I
-know!” all he did was to cry, “Neighbour,
-how do you do?” in a jovial
-Voice that rang along the Street. Thus
-the Husband and Wife would go on,
-mighty comfortable by themselves, till
-some favourite Dish, perhaps, of Mistress
-<i>Armytage’s</i> would be set on Table, and
-<i>Kitty</i>, with a Tear in her Eye, would say,
-“Poor, dear Mother is so fond of a roast
-Pig.” “Set it down before the Fire
-again, then,” says <i>Hugh</i>, “while I run
-and fetch the old Gentlewoman....
-I’ll be back in five Minutes.”—And,
-in about a Quarter of an Hour, sure
-enough, he would return with the Widow
-on his Arm, and there would be a little
-kissing and crying, and then all would
-sit down in high Good-humour with one
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>another, and Things would go on quietly
-till <i>Hugh</i> and his Mother-in-Law quarrelled
-again.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>About this Time, dear, good Master
-<i>Blower</i>, who had hitherto led a removed
-Life among us, hidden and yet known,
-ministering and being ministered unto
-by many of his old Flock on the Sly, did
-by some Indiscretion or Misadventure
-provoke the Notice of the Powers then
-riding paramount, and, coming Home to
-us in great Perturbation one Day, told us
-he must at once take Ship to <i>Holland</i> in
-a Vessel going down the River the next
-Morning. This was greatly to the Sorrow
-of my Father and myself; and some
-Tears of mine fell on his little Packet of
-clean Linen as I made it up for him;
-and I thought it no Wrong to slip into
-the easy Slippers I knew he would not
-fail to take out at the Journey’s End, a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>little Purse with seven Gold <i>Caroluses</i> in
-it, that I had long been hoarding for some
-good Use. The Wind was light, but yet
-fair: there was a Remedy against Sea-sickness
-in my Father’s Shop-window
-that I had not much Faith in, it had lain
-so long in the Sun, even supposing there
-ever were any Virtue in it; however, I
-thought there could be no Harm in just
-sewing it in the Lining of his Coat,
-according to the Directions printed ...
-at least, so I thought at the Time, but
-afterwards I observed I had made a
-Mistake, but it did no Harm, if no Good.
-And Father gave him a Bottle of <i>Cognac</i>
-Brandy, which really <i>had</i> some Virtue in
-it, so we did for him what we could, one
-Way or another. And he packed up
-what few Papers he could carry, and
-burned others, and locked up the rest,
-leaving them and his Books in my
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>Charge, with his Blessing. And so the
-good Man went.</p>
-
-<div id='i105'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i105.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Often afterwards, when I was setting
-his Rooms in Order, and dusting his
-Books, I would stand, with my Duster in
-my Hand, looking at the Table at which
-he used to write, and the old Arm-chair
-in which he used to sit, and fall into a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>Kind of Muse, till I almost seemed to see
-his large, quiet, brown Eyes, that were
-set so far under the Shadow of his Brows,
-and seemed lighted up, somehow, from
-within, looking up at me, and his pleasant
-Face smiling at me, (he had a very sweet
-Smile, had Master <i>Blower</i>,) and his pleasant
-Voice saying, “Well, <i>Cherry</i>, is it
-Eating-time again, already?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Now and then I would open one or
-other of his Books, and, if I chanced upon
-Anything I understood and that interested
-me, would stand reading on and on, till I
-was startled by hearing my Father call
-for me. At length, he knew where to
-look for me; and took to laughing at me
-for taking such a Turn for Study; but
-one Day he fell to reading one of Master
-<i>Blower’s</i> Books himself, and liked it so
-well, that, we being but quiet Companions
-for one another, now there was so little to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>say, we spent many an Hour, sitting over-against
-each other, each with our Book.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>One Day, as I sat sewing in the Parlour,
-and my Father was cutting a Man’s
-Hair, I heard his Customer say, “My
-<i>Lord Protector’s</i> very ill, and like to
-die.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Don’t believe it,” said my Father;
-“<i>he’ll</i> never die in his Bed.” Which,
-for once, was a Presage that did not
-come true.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, he seems to think so too,” said
-the other; “at all Events he’s having
-Thanks put up for his Recovery, while
-yet he’s as bad as can be; which looks
-premature.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That’s the Faith of <i>Assurance</i>, I call
-it,” said my Father dryly. “Well,
-now, what may be the Matter with
-his Grace?—a Pain in his Heart, or
-his Head, or what?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>“A tertian Fever, they say,” returned
-his Companion; “you know his favourite
-Daughter died scarce a Month back,
-and, in her last Moments, she told him
-many a Thing that no one had had
-Courage to tell him before, and expostulated
-with him on his Ways, and
-charged him with slaying the <span class='sc'>Lord’s</span>
-Anointed; which, ’tis thought, he took
-so much to Heart as that his troubled
-Mind invited if it did not occasion
-this Illness.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” said my Father, “I’d rather
-be the dead King than the dying Protector.
-What has become now of all
-his Trust in the <span class='sc'>Lord</span>, and inward
-Assurance? Does the Grandeur he has
-earned with so much Guilt, smooth his
-sick Pillow? Is the death he so boldly
-confronted on the Battlefield quite so
-easy to face, now he lies quiet and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>watchful all Night, with his Silk Curtains
-drawn about him? Does he feel
-as secure of being one of the Elect,
-unable to fall into final Reprobation,
-as when he was fighting his Way up
-to a dead Man’s Chair? Ah, Sir, we
-may ask one another these Questions,
-but our own Hearts must give their
-only Answer.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>In Fact, <i>Oliver Cromwell</i> presently
-breathed his last, amidst a Tempest of
-Wind and Rain, that seemed a Type of
-his own tempestuous Character. And in
-his Place was set up one that did not fill
-it: his quiet and peaceable Son, <i>Richard</i>,
-who had gone on his Knees to his Father
-to pray that the <i>King’s</i> Head might not
-be cut off. He was gentle, generous,
-and humane; but those were no Recommendations
-in the Eyes of the Army or
-Parliament, so he was presently set aside.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>Whereon ensued such Squabblings and
-Heart-burnings, I was glad I was not
-a Man.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>One Day, <i>Mark</i> came in, all flushed
-and eager, looking like his old self; and
-“Uncle!” says he, “there’s a brave Time
-coming again for Hairdressers! It’s my
-Fancy, Wigs will presently be in, (for
-Cavalier Curls won’t grow in a Night!)
-and then you’ll have a Market for
-that Lot of Hair that you and I put
-so carefully aside.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“How so, <i>Mark</i>?” says my Father.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why,” says <i>Mark</i>, “<i>honest George
-Monk</i>, as the Soldiers call him, is
-marching up to <i>London</i>, and you have
-always said he was a Royalist in his
-Heart.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Heaven defend us from Siege and
-civil War,” says Father; “we’ve had
-too much of them already. Better
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>one Master than many, even such a
-Master as old <i>Noll</i>; and if General
-<i>Monk</i> is coming up to seat himself in
-his Place, ’twill be better for us than
-these City Tumults, wherein a Parcel of
-young ’Prentices that deserve a good
-Threshing, get together and clamour
-for Things they know not, till grown
-Men are forced to put them down with
-a strong Hand. <i>Where there’s Order,
-there’s Liberty</i>; and Nowhere else.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Mark’s</i> News proved true; the disaffected
-Regiments were sent out of
-<i>London</i>, and General <i>Monk</i> with his Army
-entered <i>Westminster</i>. He was a right-judging
-as well as right-meaning Man,
-on the whole, to my Mind, prudent and
-moderate, though he sided first with one
-Party, then with the other, then back to
-the first again. One of the evil Consequences
-of our evil Times was, so many
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>conscientious Men were set down for
-obstinate and pig-headed, or else Turn-coats.
-My Father, to represent the
-Humour of the Time, had removed the
-obnoxious Cavalier and Puritan from his
-Window, and set up in their stead a
-Head that united half of both, which,
-revolving slowly when he pulled a String,
-shewed now one Side, now the other,
-and, as he observed, never looked so bad
-as when you saw a little of both. But
-as soon as <i>Monk</i>, throwing off his late
-Shew of Moderation, marched into the
-City, removed the Posts and Chains across
-the Streets, seized on obnoxious Persons,
-and broke down our Gates and Portcullises,
-my Father became sure that a
-great Change was at Hand, and the <i>King</i>
-would enjoy his own again. Whereon,
-he commenced beautifying and renewing
-the waxen Cavalier, which had got a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>little fly-spitten, and privately smuggled
-into the House a most beautiful female
-Counterpart for it, extremely like <i>Queen
-Henrietta Maria</i>, whom I immediately set
-about dressing in the favourite Style of her
-Majesty, that is to say, in a rich velvet
-Boddice, with a falling Collar of Cutwork,
-Vandyked at the Edge, relieved by
-a blue Breast-knot. My Father dressed
-her Hair in long, drooping, dark Curls,
-with a few pearl Pins; and, abiding the
-right Time with Calmness and Confidence,
-shut up the comely Pair in a dark
-Closet till the happy Moment for their
-bursting upon the World should arrive.</p>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>
-  <h2 id='ch07' class='c007'>CHAPTER VII</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Signs in the Air</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-i.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-AND now the glorious Restoration
-at length arrived, and
-’tis incredible what a Spur
-it was to Trade, and how
-the Mercers and Drapers
-could hardly supply their Customers fast
-enough with expensive Goods; and how
-the Tailors and Sempstresses worked all
-Night, and Hairdressers sold their Ellwigs,
-and Hatters their Hats, and Horse-dealers
-their Horses good and bad. For
-every one was for pouring out of <i>London</i>,
-across our Bridge, at least as far as <i>Blackheath</i>.
-Oh! what a busy, what a joyous
-Sight it was! All the Streets from the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span><i>Bridge</i> to <i>Whitehall</i> were hung with
-Tapestry, and the Windows filled with
-Ladies. The <i>Lord Mayor’s</i> Cooks set up
-a gay Tent in <i>St. George’s</i> Fields, to prepare
-a Refection for his Majesty. The
-Livery Companies in their various rich
-Dresses of Crimson, Violet, Purple, and
-Scarlet, lined the Streets on one Side, and
-the Trained Bands on the other: Bursts
-of gay Music were intermingled with
-Cheers and Laughter; Everybody seemed
-in tip-top Spirits that the <i>King</i> was
-coming. We let our Windows for a
-good Premium to some of the Grandees;
-but had a good View ourselves of what
-was going on, from the Leads—now
-there would come along a Troop of two
-or three Hundred or more, in Cloth of
-Silver Doublets; then four or five Times
-as many in Velvet Coats, with Attendants
-in Purple; then another Party in Buff
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>Coats with Cloth of Silver Sleeves and
-green Scarfs, others in pale Blue and
-Silver, others in Scarlet: by and by, six
-Hundred of the Livery on Horseback, in
-black Velvet with Gold Chains, then the
-Trumpeters, Waits, City Officers, Sheriffs,
-and <i>Lord Mayor</i> ... in short, there was
-no End to the Splendour and Glory of
-that Day; for we had hardly rested ourselves
-after seeing them all go forth, when
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>they began to come back, with the <i>King</i>
-in the midst. Oh! what Shouts! what
-Cheers! what Bursts of Music! And
-he, bowing this Side and that, so smiling
-and gracious! “It seemed,” he said, “as
-if it must have been his own Fault
-he came not sooner back, Everyone
-appeared so glad to see him!”</p>
-
-<div id='i116'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i116.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>But the Ladies’ Dresses!—Oh, how
-grieved I was!—Sure, they were resolved
-to make up for the Dulness and Decorum
-they had been restricted to during the
-Protectorate; for, indeed, they seemed to
-think Decorum and Dulness went together,
-and should now be thrown overboard
-in Company. The <i>Henrietta Maria</i>
-Dress I had so complacently made up for
-our Wax Doll, was now twenty Years
-behind the Fashion! fit only to laugh
-at!—and what had taken its Place, I
-thought fit only to blush at.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>For a Moment, when the Party that
-had hired our first-floor Window had
-thrown off their Clokes, I felt a dreadful
-Presentiment that their Characters could
-not be over-good; or else, thought I,
-they never could dress in such a Manner.
-Only, knowing who they were, I thought
-again, <i>that</i> can never be—dear Heart!
-what can they be thinking of? we shall
-have Stones and Mud thrown up at the
-Window. “Sure, Madam,” said I to
-the youngest and prettiest, “you will
-catch Cold at the open Window ...
-the Wind blows in very fresh from the
-River—will you just have this Scarf a
-little over your Shoulders?” “No,
-thank you,” says she, shaking back
-quite a Bush of fair Hair, and looking
-up at me with her Eyes half shut, as
-if she were sleepy already. “Forsooth,”
-thought I, “those Curls are equal to a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>Fur Tippet”—And, looking across at
-our Neighbours’ Windows, I saw we
-need not fear pelting, for that all the
-other Ladies were dressed just the same.
-Then thought I, Oh, this is the <i>Restoration</i>,
-is it? If you, fair Ladies, provoke
-ill Thoughts of you, you must not feel
-aggrieved if People think not of you
-very well.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I disliked this Symptom of the Restoration
-from the very first—not that it
-had, naturally, any Connexion with it.—The
-<i>King</i> had lived long abroad, had
-become fond of foreign Fashions; but
-were the modest Ladies of <i>England</i>, therefore,
-to give in to them? Then, what
-the upper Classes affect, the lower Classes
-soon ape: I knew we should presently
-have Mistress <i>Blenkinsop</i> and <i>Violet</i> trying
-which could wear the longest Curls and
-shortest Petticoats, and look the most
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>languishing. The only Difference would
-be, that the one would become the
-Fashion, and the other make it ridiculous.
-Perhaps, thought I, I am growing
-prudish and old-maidish, I am Eight and
-Twenty; but so is <i>Violet</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I have often thought, that if the Ladies
-of <i>England</i> had at this Time been what
-they ought, a good Deal of Folly and Sin
-that presently stained this Reign would
-never have happened. What! could the
-merry Glance and free Word of a light
-young Monarch break down Barriers
-that were not tottering already? What
-had Mothers and Teachers been about?
-Where were the Lady <i>Fanshawes</i> and
-<i>Lucy Hutchinsons</i>? There must have
-been Something wrong in the Bringing-up—I
-can never believe all these fair
-young Ladies were so good one Day and
-so bad the next.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>But the joyfullest Event, to ourselves,
-on that glorious Twenty-ninth of <i>May</i>,
-was the Restoration to his Country and
-Home of our excellent Friend and Lodger,
-Master <i>Blower</i>. He seemed to be rejuvenized
-by the general Spirit of Hilariousness;
-for I protest it seemed as though
-ten Years were taken off his Shoulders.
-And he talked of being soon replaced
-in his Curacy; but, instead of that, his
-Friends presently got him a Living in the
-City, which took him away from us, as
-there was a Parsonage House. But we
-went to his Church on <i>Sundays</i>; and, as
-he was not one of those who forget old
-Friends or humble ones, he would make
-my Father and me sup with him about
-once a Quarter, and come to us of his
-own Accord about as often, and talk
-over the Times, which in some Respects,
-as far as Sabbath-keeping and general
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>Morality went, we could not say were
-bettered.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And now a shocking Sight was to be
-seen at the <i>Bridge</i> Gate,—the Heads,
-namely, of those Traitors who brought
-about the Death of the late King, and
-who richly deserved their bad End.
-There they have remained for many a
-Year, a Terror to all Evil-doers.</p>
-
-<div id='i122'  class='figcenter id013'>
-<img src='images/i122.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>And now a shocking sight was to be seen at the Bridge Gate</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>It was in the Spring following the
-Restoration, in the Month of <i>March</i>,
-that we and the <i>Braidfoots</i> were taking
-our Supper together on the Leads, the
-Weather being very warm for the Season,
-when our Attention was attracted by the
-uncommon Appearance of the Clouds,
-which, as will often be the Case after
-much Rain, were exceeding gorgeous and
-grotesque. Master <i>Braidfoot</i> was the first
-of us who noticed them, and cried, “See,
-see, Neighbours! Cannot you now
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>credit how Lovers of the Marvellous
-have oft-times set Tales afloat of Armies
-seen fighting in the Air? Do not those
-two Battalions of Clouds, impelled by
-opposite Currents, look like two great
-Armies with Spears and Banners, about
-to encounter each other? Now they
-meet, now they fall together, now one
-vanishes away! Now, they both are
-gone!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“And see, dear <i>Hugh</i>,” cries <i>Kitty</i>,
-“there’s another that looks like a Cathedral;
-and another like an exceeding
-big Mountain, with a Rent in its
-Side; and out of the Rent comes
-Something that looks like a Crocodile,
-with its Jaws wide open; no! now
-it is liker to a Bull, or rather to a
-Lion.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Very like a Whale!” said a Man, as
-if to himself, on the Top of the next
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>House. It was Master <i>Benskin’s</i> Lodger,
-who wrote for the Booksellers.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Kitty</i> started, and lowered her Voice;
-for we were not on speaking Terms with
-him; however, she squeezed my Arm
-and said softly, “It really <i>is</i> becoming
-Something like a Whale now, though!”
-On which, Master <i>Braidfoot</i> burst into
-one of his ringing Laughs, and cried,
-“Why, <i>Kitty</i>, you give it as many Faces
-as the Moon! What will you fancy
-it next?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I wonder what it means,” says she,
-very gravely.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Means?” said her Husband, still
-laughing; “why, it means we shall have
-some more wet Weather. So we’ll
-put off our Pleasure Party. See what
-a red Flame the setting Sun casts all
-along the City!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>About a Week after this, our Neighbour,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>Master <i>Benskin</i>, gave my Father a
-little Pamphlet of four Leaves, writ by
-his Lodger; the Title of which was truly
-tremendous. It was this,—</p>
-
-<p class='c017'>“<i>Strange News from the West! being a true and
-perfect Account of several Miraculous Sights
-seen in the Air westward, on Thursday
-last, by divers Persons of Credit, standing on
-London Bridge between Seven and Eight of
-the Clock. Two great Armies marching forth
-of two Clouds, and encountering each other;
-but, after a sharp Dispute, they suddenly
-vanished. Also, some remarkable Sights that
-were seen to issue forth of a Cloud that seemed
-like a Mountain, in the Shapes of a Bull, a
-Bear, a Lyon, and an Elephant with a Castle
-on his Back; and the Manner how they all
-vanished.</i>”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>“Well,” said my Father, turning the
-Leaf, “is it dedicated to Mistress <i>Braidfoot</i>?
-Here seems to be much Ado
-about Nothing, I think.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Nothing or Something,” said Master
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span><i>Benskin</i>, laughing, and jingling his Pockets,
-“it has enabled my Lodger to pay up
-seven Weeks’ Arrears; so it’s an ill
-Wind that blows Nobody any Good.
-The Trifle has had a Run, Sir!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“So this is the Way Books are made,
-and Stories are vamped up,” said my
-Father. “Truly, it makes one serious.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>But, a little Time after, a Rumour
-was repeated in the Shop that did indeed
-make one serious, to wit, that the Plague
-was in <i>Holland</i>, and would very likely
-come across to us. However, though the
-following Year it did indeed rage very
-badly in <i>Amsterdam</i> and <i>Rotterdam</i>, yet it
-crossed not the Water for another twelve
-Months or more; and as we had no such
-Things as printed Newspapers in those
-Days, such as I have lived to see since,
-Reports did not instantly spread over the
-whole Nation as they do now.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>Howbeit, at the latter End of <i>November</i>,
-1664, there really were two Cases of
-Plague in <i>Long Acre</i>, which frightened
-People a good deal. A third Man afterwards
-died of the same Distemper in
-the same House, which kept alive our
-Uneasiness; but after that, nothing was
-heard of it for six Weeks or more, when
-it broke out beyond Concealment.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At this Time, Master <i>Benskin’s</i> Shop-window
-was full of small Books with
-awakening Titles, such as “<i>Britain’s</i>
-Remembrancer,”—“Come out of her,
-my People,”—“Give Ear, ye careless
-Daughters,” and such-like, many of
-them emanating from the Pen of his
-Lodger in the Attick; and with these
-and <i>Lilly’s</i> Almanacks, he drove a thriving
-Trade.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Violet</i> was sitting with me one Morning,
-when <i>Mark</i> suddenly entered, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>seeing her with me, lost his Presence of
-Mind directly, and forgot what he had to
-say. She on her Part, being just then in
-Mourning for one of her Brother’s Children,
-for whom I am bold to say she had
-scarce shed a Tear, (he being a humoursome
-Child, particularly disagreeable to
-her,) fetches a deep Sigh, and with a
-pretty, pensive Air takes up her Work,
-rises, mutely curtsies to him, and retires.
-On which he, after a Minute’s Silence,
-says sadly, “<i>Violet</i> is as beautiful, I see,
-as ever,”—and I was grieved to find
-he still thought so much about her.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Just then, my Father enters; and <i>Mark</i>,
-of a sudden recollecting his Business, exclaimed,
-“Oh, Uncle, here is a capital
-Opening for you. ’Tis an ill Wind,
-sure enough, that blows nobody any
-Good,—I don’t know why you should
-not do a good Turn of Business as well
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>as ourselves by being Agent for the
-Sale of these patent Nostrums” ...
-and thereon pulled out a Parcel of Bills,
-headed “Infallible Preventive-pills against
-the Plague.” ... “Never-failing Preservatives
-against Infection.” ... “Sovereign
-Cordials against the Corruption
-of the Air.” ... “The Royal Antidote—” and
-so forth.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—“No, Boy, no,” said my Father,
-putting them by, one after another, as
-he looked over them, “Time was when
-I should have thought it as innocent to
-laugh in my Sleeve at other People’s
-Credulity and turn a Penny by their
-Delusions as yourself, and many others
-that are counted honest Men; but I’m
-older and sadder now. To the best of
-my Belief, every and all of these Remedies
-are Counterfeits, that will not only
-rob People of their Money, but peradventure
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>of their Lives, by inducing
-them to trust in what they have bought
-instead of going to the Expense of
-proper Medicines. A solemn Time is
-coming; my own Time may be short;
-and whether I be taken or whether I
-be left, <span class='sc'>God</span> forbid I should carry a
-Lie in my right Hand, or set it in
-my Shop-window.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>A Customer here summoned him
-away; and <i>Mark</i>, instead of departing,
-sat down beside me and said, “What
-think you, <i>Cherry</i>, of this approaching
-Visitation? Are you very much
-affrighted?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Awe-stricken, rather,” I made Answer;
-“I only fear for myself along with
-the rest, and I fear most for my Father,
-who will be more exposed to it than I
-shall; but I feel I can leave the Matter
-in <span class='sc'>God’s</span> Hand.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>“I wish I could,” said poor <i>Mark</i>,
-sighing. “I own to you, <i>Cherry</i>, I am
-horribly dismayed. I have a Presentiment
-that I shall not escape. My
-<i>Wife</i>,” continued he, with great Bitterness
-in his Tone ... he commonly
-spoke of her with assumed Recklessness
-as “his old Lady” ... “my
-Wife has no Sense of the Danger—mocks
-at it, defies it; refuses to leave
-her House and her Business, come
-what may, and tells me with a Scoff
-I shall frighten myself to Death,
-and that <i>Ralph Denzel</i> shall be her
-Third.—Don’t you hate, <i>Cherry</i>, to
-hear Husbands and Wives, even in
-Sport, making light of each other’s
-Deaths?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Her Grossness was offensive to me,
-and I said in a low Voice, “I do.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“And if I die, as die I very likely
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>shall,” pursued he hurriedly, “you may
-do me a Kindness, <i>Cherry</i>, by telling
-<i>Violet</i> that I never——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>This was insupportable to me. “Dear
-<i>Mark</i>,” I cried, “why yield to this
-Notion of Evil which may be its own
-Fulfilment? <span class='sc'>God</span> watches over all.
-With proper Precaution, and with his
-Blessing, we may escape. No one
-knows his Hour: the brittle Cup oft
-lasts the longest.—Many a Casualty
-may cut us off before the Day of
-general Visitation.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Aye,” he replied, with a sickened
-Look, “but I had a Dream last Night
-... and, just now, as I came through
-<i>Bishopgate</i> Churchyard, a Crowd of
-People were watching a Ghost among
-the Tombs, that was signing to Houses
-that should be stricken, and to yet
-undug Graves.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>“<i>Watching</i> it?” said I. “Did you
-see it?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, I rather think I did,” said
-<i>Mark</i>, “but am not quite assured—the
-Press was very great. At any rate, I
-saw those who evidently <i>did</i> see it. My
-Wife has had her Fortune told, and
-the Fortune-teller avouched to her she
-should escape; so there’s the Ground
-of <i>her</i> Comfort. To make doubly sure,
-she wears a Charm. For me, I am
-neither for Charm nor Fortune-telling,—if
-I die, I die, and what then! I’ve
-often felt Life scarce worth keeping;
-only one don’t know what comes
-after!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And, with a faint Laugh, he rose to
-go away. I said, “<i>Mark! Mark!</i>”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“What is it?” he said, and stopped.
-I said, “Don’t go away with that light
-Saying in your Mouth——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>He said, “Oh!” and smiling, opened
-the Door. I said, looking full at him,
-“Faith in <span class='sc'>God</span> is the best Amulet.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It is,” he said more gravely; and
-went out.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Presently my Father came in to Supper;
-and sat down, while it was making ready,
-near the Window, looking out on the
-River quite calmly. Our large white
-Cat sat purring beside him. Stroking
-her kindly, he said, “Pussy, you must
-keep close, or your Days will be few
-... they’ve given Orders, now, to
-kill all the Dogs and Cats. I believe,
-<i>Cherry</i>, we are as safe here as we should
-be in the privatest Retreat in the Kingdom,
-for Infection never harbours on
-the <i>Bridge</i>, the Current of Air always
-blows it away, one Way or the other.
-But, my dear, we may be called away
-at any Hour, and I never Sleep worse
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>of a Night for bearing in Mind I may
-not see another Morning. But I rest
-all the peacefuller, <i>Cherry</i>, for knowing
-you will never be in want, though this
-poor Business should dwindle away to
-nothing. Master <i>Benskin</i> and <i>Hugh
-Braidfoot</i> know all about my little
-Hoard, and will manage it well for
-you, my Daughter. And now, let’s
-see what is under this bright little
-Cover. Pettitoes, as sure as <i>London
-Bridge</i> is built on Wool-packs!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And he ate his frugal Meal cheerfully,
-I thinking in my Mind, as I had so often
-done before, that the firmest Heart is
-oft found in the littlest Body.</p>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>
-  <h2 id='ch08' class='c007'>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>The Plague</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-a.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-AS Spring advanced, the Plague
-came on amain. Houses
-were shut up, some empty,
-some with infected People
-in them under Guard, ne’er
-to be let out, save in perfect Health or
-to be cast into the Dead-cart. Swarms
-of People hurried out of Town, some in
-Health, some already infected: never was
-such a Blockade of Carts, Coaches, and
-Horsemen on the <i>Bridge</i>; and I was told,
-on the northern and western Roads ’twas
-still worse. Every Horse, good and bad,
-was in request, at enormous Hire: as
-soon as they had done Duty for one
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>Party, they came back for another, so
-that the poor Things had an ill Time o’t.
-The Court set the Example of running
-away; the Nobility and Gentry followed
-it; the Soldiers were all sent to Country
-Quarters, the <i>Tower</i> was left under the
-Guard of a few Beef-eaters, all the Courts
-of Law were closed, and even the middle
-and lower Ranks that could not well
-afford to leave their Shops and Houses,
-thought it a good Matter to escape for
-bare Life, and live about the Country in
-removed Places, camping in the Fields,
-and under Hedges.</p>
-
-<div id='i136'  class='figcenter id014'>
-<img src='images/i136.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>Houses were shut up, some empty, some<br />with infected people in them</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Thus the City, which had previously
-been so over-filled as to provoke the comparing
-of it with <i>Jerusalem</i> before the last
-Passover, was in a Manner so depopulated,
-that though vast Numbers remained in
-its By-streets and Lanes, whole Rows of
-Houses stood empty. Those that walked
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>abroad kept the Middle of the Streets
-for Fear of Infection; Grass began to
-grow between the Paving-stones; the
-Sound of Wheels was scarce heard, for
-People were afraid of using the Hackney-coaches;
-Beggars, and Street-singers, and
-Hawkers, had altogether disappeared; so
-that there was nothing to break the
-awful Stillness save the Shrieks of dying
-Persons in lone Houses, or the Rumbling
-of the Dead-cart.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Meanwhile, though the Distemper was
-raging on both Sides of us and all about
-us, it came not on the Bridge. Crowded
-Assemblages of Buyers and Sellers at
-Markets, &amp;c., being much to be avoided,
-we laid in as much Stock as our small
-Premises would hold and our small
-Family require, of Soap, Candles, Groceries,
-Cheese, Bacon, salt Butter, and
-such-like. And whereas the Plague
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>raged worse than Anywhere among the
-Butchers’ Stalls and low Fishmongers,
-we made a Merit of Necessity, and fasted
-from both Fish and fresh Meat, as well
-for our Health as our Sins, which, if
-sundry others had done in a proper
-Frame and Temper, ’tis likely they might
-have been spared.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Thus we kept close and went Abroad
-little, except to Public Prayers; reading
-and meditating much at Home, and considering,
-as <i>Noah</i> and his Family probably
-did in the Ark, that if our Confinement
-were irksome, ’twas a cheap Price to pay
-for Safety. Of the <i>Blenkinsops</i> we saw
-nothing after the regular Outburst of the
-Calamity; but we knew that Mistress
-<i>Blenkinsop</i> was not only resolved not to
-stir, but that she would not so much as
-lay in Stores for daily Consumption; perversely
-and cruelly persisting in sending
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>her Servants into the Danger, she feared
-not for herself to purchase Pennyworths
-of Things she might have bought wholesale.</p>
-
-<div id='i140'  class='figcenter id015'>
-<img src='images/i140.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>Keeping the Gates.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Meantime, though our <i>Bridge</i>, by reason
-of its being one of the great Thoroughfares
-of <i>London</i>, could not well be shut
-up, yet the Bridgewardens took all the
-Care of us they could, keeping the Gates
-with much Jealousy, and burning large
-Fires of resinous and strong-smelling Substances.
-Early in the Season, there was
-one Person who took a mighty Panic at
-her own Danger, which was Mistress
-<i>Armytage</i>. She had left her Lodgings,
-ostensibly to be with <i>Kitty</i> during her
-Confinement, but in Reality, as the Event
-proved, to be out of the Reach of Infection.
-However, the News of each
-Day, which she greedily gathered, becoming
-dismaller, and the Crowds of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>People pouring out of Town exciting her
-Desire to be among them, she wearied
-<i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> with Entreaties that he
-would promise to go into the Country as
-soon as <i>Kitty</i> got about again; and, one
-Night, a Coffin leaping into her Lap out
-of the Fire, her Fears for herself could
-no longer be allayed, but she declared she
-must go the next Morning, come what
-would. I heard much sobbing and loud
-talking through the Wall overnight; and
-the next Morning at Day-break, saw the
-Widow departing with a small Bundle
-in her Hand, and a young Lad carrying
-her heavy Box. However, the End,
-which was impressive, was this. She
-over-heated herself in her selfish Flight,
-slept in a damp Bed the next Night, and
-took a Hurt which ended her Life before
-the Year was out, though not by the
-Plague.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>Soon after, <i>Kitty</i> gave Birth to twin
-Daughters, the sweetest little Dears that
-ever were seen, whom she very prettily
-insisted on naming <i>Violet</i> and <i>Cherry</i>. But
-now, the Plague being more and more
-talked of, and she being unable to nurse
-both, it became a momentous Question
-with her whether to bring one up by
-Hand or send it to a Foster-nurse in the
-Country. At length, the latter was decided
-upon; and little <i>Violet</i> was put out
-to nurse at <i>Lewisham</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And now the Judgment of <span class='sc'>God</span> fell
-very heavy on us; insomuch that amid
-the general Visitation and Bereavement, it
-would have been strange indeed if even
-the unafflicted could have been so unfeeling
-as to hold back from the general
-Mourning. The Cry from every Pulpit
-and every Altar was, “Spare, <span class='sc'>O Lord</span>,
-spare thy People, whom thou hast redeemed
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>with thy precious Blood;” and
-the Churches were open all Day long
-and crowded with Penitents, till it was
-found that Contagion was thereby augmented;
-whereon all but the bold fell to
-exchanging public for private Devotion.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>About this Time, poor <i>Kitty Braidfoot</i>
-fell into much Danger. She was nursing
-her little <i>Cherry</i> one Morning, and saying
-to me how her Heart yearned for a Sight
-of its Twin-sister, when, as if in Answer
-to her Wish, in comes the Foster-nurse,
-looking defiant and heated, with the
-Infant in her Arms, whom without more
-Ado she sets upon the Table, and then
-retreats to the Door.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“There’s your Babby, Mistress,” says
-she bluntly, “and you owes me one and
-twenty Shillings for the last six Weeks’
-nursing, at Three and Sixpence a Week
-... it’s taken the Plague, and I can’t
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>have my own Babby infected, so I declines
-the farther Charge of it—’tis a
-puny little Thing, and I doesn’t think
-would anyhow ha’ lived long.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Puny!” cries <i>Kitty</i>, with Eyes darting
-Fire; “why, you’ve starved it for the
-Sake of your own Baby! ’Twas as fine
-a Child as this, and now a downright
-Skeleton!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>The Woman had an Answer on her
-Lips, but Something in <i>Kitty’s</i> Eye and
-in her own Heart suddenly abashed her;
-and with a “Marry come up!” she hastily
-turned about and quitted the House,
-without so much as asking again for her
-one and twenty Shillings. Poor <i>Kitty</i>
-exclaimed, “Oh, you little Starveling!”
-and bursting into Tears, put <i>Cherry</i> into
-my Arms, and began to unfasten her own
-Dress. I said, “Remember, you cannot
-nurse both——” She said, “I must
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>commit the other to you to bring up
-by Hand and keep out of the Infection—I
-cannot let this little Thing perish,”
-and showered on it Kisses and Tears,
-quite thoughtless of her own Safety.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Just then, <i>Hugh</i> came in, and stood
-amazed when he saw <i>Kitty</i> fondling the
-famished little Infant. She, thoughtful
-of him also before herself, cried, “Don’t
-come near me, <i>Hugh</i>! Baby has the
-Plague. I’m thankful the Woman
-brought it Home; <span class='sc'>God</span> forbid a Child
-of mine should endanger a Child of
-hers!” And pressed her little one yet
-closer to her, and kissed its little, meagre
-Hands. Poor <i>Hugh</i> stood aghast at the
-News, regarding her from where he first
-stood with a Mixture of Wonder, Admiration,
-and Fear; at length exclaiming,
-“<span class='sc'>God</span> be your Blessing, <i>Kitty</i>!”—he
-brushed off a Tear and turned away.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>Again saw I that the strongest Heart is
-not always in the biggest Body. As for
-<i>Kitty</i>, I thought she had never looked so
-beautiful as at that Moment. She was
-now eagerly seeking for some Token of
-the Disease about her Child, but could
-find none. “What and if ’twere a false
-alarm?” cries she,—“Heaven grant
-it!—But now, dear <i>Cherry</i>, take your
-little Charge out of Harm’s Reach—and
-bid <i>Nell</i> tend dear <i>Hugh</i> all she
-can—I’ve Everything I want here, and
-they can set down my Meals at the
-Door without coming in.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I looked back at her as I closed the
-Door, and saw her smiling so over her
-Baby that it really seemed as if she felt
-she had in it Everything she wanted.
-And when I lay down by my little
-<i>Cherry</i> at Night, and felt its little Mites
-of Hands straying over my Face, I felt
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>drawn towards it with a Love I had
-never experienced for a Child before, and
-wondered not how <i>Kitty</i>, who might call
-it Part and Parcel of herself, could so
-cheerfully risk her own Life for that of
-her Child.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Next Morning, both our Heads were
-thrust simultaneously out of our Bedroom
-Windows. “<i>Violet</i> is doing purely,” cries
-she; “there’s no Plague-spot—How is
-<i>Cherry</i>?” We exchanged Congratulations
-and heartfelt Blessings.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>In short, it proved a false Alarm; but
-as <i>Cherry</i> was so miraculously contented
-under my Care, her Mother would not
-have her back till every Fear of Danger
-was over, by which Time the pretty
-Creature was well weaned. If <i>Hugh</i> had
-loved his Wife before this, he now absolutely
-adored her: he said he had learned
-the Value of his Treasures too dearly to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>run any farther Risk of losing them, come
-what might to his Business. So he shut
-up Shop, left an old Woman in Charge,
-bought a Tent, Horse, and Cart, and
-Everything else he wanted or could take;
-and, one fair Morning, he mounted <i>Kitty</i>
-all smiling under the Tilt, with a Darling
-on each Arm, and Bags, Baskets,
-and Crockery-ware all about her; and
-shouldering his Carter’s Whip, started off
-with his Family for <i>Kent</i>, like a blythe,
-honest Patriarch.</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i148.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>
-  <h2 id='ch09' class='c007'>CHAPTER IX</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Foreshadows</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-a.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-AH! with that little Gipsey-party
-went all the Smiles
-I was to see for many a
-Day, though I knew it
-not.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>My Father about this Time seemed
-dull and sorry of Cheer. I asked him
-if aught ailed him in Body or Mind, or
-had gone wrong in his Affairs. He said,
-no—that he was sensible of a Heaviness
-on his Spirits, but could no Ways account
-for it. And, with that Stoutness of Heart
-which had become a second Nature, he
-bustled about and tried to cast it off.
-Still I watched him narrowly, but could
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>detect no Signs of Disorder. I lay awake
-at Night, thinking of him; and amid the
-Stillness all about, could faintly hear the
-distant Wail of that poor distracted Madman,
-who incessantly ran about the Streets
-of the City, crying, “Oh! the great and
-dreadful <span class='sc'>God</span>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>After Breakfast, my Father said to me,
-“<i>Cherry</i>, I shall be absent for an Hour or
-two, but you may expect me punctually
-at Dinner.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Oh, Father! why must you go
-forth? is there any pressing Occasion?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, yes, there is,” said he, “for a
-Man who owes me Money is going
-to make the Plague a Pretext for leaving
-the Country, and has succeeded, I
-understand, in getting a clean Bill of
-Health.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Let it be, if it be no great
-Matter.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>“Nay,” he said gently, “it <i>is</i> a great
-Matter to People in our Condition,
-with whom Trade is at a Stand-still.
-I have not yet held aloof from any
-necessary Affairs, but I give you
-my Word I will run no needless
-Risks.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And so was going forth, when I said,
-“There is a little white on your shoulder,”
-and brushed it off with my Apron.
-When I had done it, he turned about and
-kissed me.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>We were to have Bacon and Eggs that
-Day. I had a Presentiment he would be
-after his Time, in spite of what he had
-said, and told <i>Dolly</i> not to fry them till
-he came in. Hour after Hour passed,
-long after Dinner-time, and still he came
-not. Then I grew troubled, and kept
-looking along the <i>Bridge</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At last, when it was growing dusk, I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>put on my Hood and went to the Bridge
-Gate. I said to the Gate-keeper, “Did
-you see my Father pass the Gate this
-Morning, Master <i>Princeps</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Yes, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>, I did,” returned
-he, “more by Token he said he was
-going either through or to <i>Lime Street</i>,
-I forget which.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “I can’t think why he don’t
-come back.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh!” says he, “he’ll be back presently,”
-which, though spoken entirely
-at random, yet being uttered in a cheerful
-Tone, somewhat heartened me, and I returned
-Home.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Master <i>Benskin</i> was putting up his
-Shop Shutters. I said, “I can’t think
-what has become of my Father, Master
-<i>Benskin</i>.” He said, “Has not he come
-Home? Oh, Something unforeseen
-must have delayed him. You know
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>that might happen to any of us.”
-And put the Screw in his last Shutter.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “What should you do if you
-were me?” He said, “Well, I’m sure
-I can’t tell what I should do—I don’t
-see I could do Anything—He’ll come
-Home presently, I dare say ... don’t
-be uneasy.” And went in. I thought,
-“<i>Job’s</i> Comforters are ye all.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>About ten o’ the Clock at Night, I
-went down to the Bridge Gate again.
-They were shutting it up for the Night,
-and making up the great Bonfire in the
-Middle of the Street. This Time I could
-hardly speak for crying; I said, “Master
-<i>Princeps</i>, I can’t think <i>why</i> my Father
-doesn’t come back! I think Something
-must have happened!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Nay,” says he, “what can have happened?
-Very likely he has been unexpectedly
-detained, and thinks he shall
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>not be back before the Gate is shut, and
-is too neighbourly to wish to knock me
-up. So he takes a Bed with the Friend
-he is with.—Now we’ve got it all clear,
-depend upon it!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“But,” said I, “there’s no Friend he
-can be with, that I know of.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, in <i>Lime Street</i>!” says he, with
-all the Confidence imaginable.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Lime Street?</i> Dear Master <i>Princeps</i>,
-my Father knows nobody in <i>Lime
-Street</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—“Don’t he though?” says he doubtfully.
-“Well, I’m sure I think he said
-he was going through or to <i>Lime Street</i>,
-I can’t justly remember which.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I turned away in deep Disappointment
-and Trouble. As I passed under the deep
-Shade of the Houses, some one coming
-close up to me, said, “<i>Cherry!</i> pretty
-<i>Cherry</i>! is that you?” But it was not
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>my Father’s Voice, and I passed on in
-Disgust. I would not fasten the House-door,
-and sat just within it all Night, a
-Candle set in the Window. I opened
-my Bible at random, in Hope of Something
-to hearten and comfort.—The Words
-I lighted on were, “I sought him, but
-could not find him; I called him, but
-he gave me no Answer.” And the
-Page was wet with my Tears.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>As soon as Day broke, I was again at
-the Door. People going to Market early
-looked at me strangely as they passed. It
-struck me my Appearance was not very
-tidy, so I went in, washed and re-dressed
-myself, which refreshed me a little, drank
-a Cup of Milk, and then put on my
-Hood and went down to the Gate. I
-said, “Master <i>Princeps</i>, I can’t think
-what’s come to my Father.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Bless my Soul!” cries he, “what,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>has he not been Home all Night?
-Then you see, he <i>must</i> be sleeping out,
-and will not have risen yet, to disturb
-his Friend’s Family. So, go your Ways
-back, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>, and don’t be
-fretting; rely on it he will return as
-soon as he has breakfasted, which he
-cannot have done yet.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I turned away, sad at my Heart;
-and as I passed <i>John Armytage’s</i> Shop, I
-looked up at <i>Violet’s</i> Window, and saw
-her dressed, and just putting back her
-white Curtains. She looked down on
-me, and nodded, and smiled, but I shook
-my Head sorrowfully, and turned my
-Face away. Before I reached my own
-Door, I felt some one twitching my
-Cloak behind, and she comes up to me
-all panting.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry!</i> dear <i>Cherry</i>!” says she
-breathlessly, “what’s the Matter?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>“I’ve lost my Father,” said I, with
-filling Eyes.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Dead!” cries she, looking affrighted.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“He may be,” said I, bursting into
-Tears, “for he has not come Home all
-Night.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh, if that’s all,” says she, putting
-her Arm round me and drawing me into
-the House, “all may yet be well.—How
-many Women might cry, <i>Cherry</i>, if they
-thought their Husbands and Fathers
-were dead, every Time they stayed out
-all Night! Come, tell me all about
-it——” And she entered with such
-Concern into my Grief that its Bitterness
-was allayed.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Come,” she said, “let us give him
-till Dinner-time—he may drop in any
-Minute, you know, and if you go looking
-for him, you know not where,
-you may miss him. So give him till
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>Dinner-time, and after that, if he comes
-not, go and knock at every Door in
-<i>Lime Street</i>, if you will.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And she stayed, wiling the slow Time
-as long as she could with talking of this
-and that. At length, Dinner-time came;
-I could scarce await it, and directly the
-Clock struck, I started forth. It occurred
-to me I would go to <i>Mark</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>As I approached the Gate, I heard
-Master <i>Princeps</i> say to the second Gate-keeper,
-“I’ll lay you a Wager this Girl
-is coming again to ask me why she
-can’t find her Father.”</p>
-
-<div id='i158'  class='figcenter id016'>
-<img src='images/i158.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>Cherry seeking her father</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Instead of which, I only said as I came
-up to him, “I’m going to look for my
-Father, Master <i>Princeps</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” says he, “I wish you may
-find him with all my Heart, but it
-seems like looking for a Pin in a Hayfield.—Perhaps
-he’ll return while you
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>are away.... Take Care where you
-go; the Streets and Lanes are dangerous——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>There were People paying Toll; and
-while I was waiting to pass, I heard one
-Man ask another if he had seen the great
-Plague-pit dug in <i>Aldgate</i>, forty Feet long,
-and twenty Feet deep; adding, he believed
-many People that were picked up
-in the Streets were cast into it before
-it was well known if they were dead or
-alive.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I darted through the Toll-gate the
-Moment it was clear, and made for
-<i>Cheapside</i>. Oh! how awful the Change,
-during a few Weeks! Not a Creature
-stirring, where lately all had been alive.—At
-the Turn of a Lane I met a Man
-wheeling a dead Person in a Hand-barrow,
-and turning his own Head aside.
-Houses were deserted or silent, marked
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>with the fatal red Cross. Within one,
-I heard much wailing and sobbing. At
-length I reached <i>Mark’s</i> House. ’Twas all
-shut up!—and a Watchman sat smoking
-on the Door-step. He said, “Young
-Woman, what do you want?” I said,
-“I want to speak to <i>Mark Blenkinsop</i>.” ...
-He said, “Nobody must go out or in—the
-House is under Visitation.”—My
-Heart sank when I remembered <i>Mark’s</i>
-Forebodings of himself, and I said, “Is
-he dead?” “I know not whether he
-be dead or no,” replied the Watchman;
-“a Maid-servant was put into the Cart
-the Night before last, and a ’Prentice
-the Night before that.—Since then,
-they’ve kept mighty quiet, and asked
-for Nothing, though I’ve rung the
-House-bell two or three Times. But
-the Night-watch told me that a Woman
-put her Head out of Window during
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>the Night, and called out, ‘Oh! Death,
-Death, Death!’ three several Times.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Ring the Bell again!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>He did so, and pulled it so violently
-this Time, that the Wire broke. We
-gave each other a blank Look.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“See!” said I, “there’s a Window open
-on the Second Story——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“’Tis where the Woman put out her
-Head and screeched, during the Night,”
-said he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Could not you get a Ladder,” said I,
-“and look in?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” said he, “I will, if you will
-stay here and see that no one comes out
-while I’m gone.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I said I would, but I should have
-been a sorry Guard had any one indeed
-rushed forth, so weak was I and trembling.
-I thought of <i>Mark</i> lying within,
-perhaps stiff and cold.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>Presently the Watchman returned with
-a Ladder, but it was too short, so then
-he had to go for another. This Time he
-was much longer gone, so that I was
-almost beside myself with waiting. All
-this Time not a Creature passed. At
-length a Man came along the Middle of
-the Street, holding a red Rod before him.
-He cried, “What do you there?” I
-said, “We know not whether the Family
-be dead or have deserted the House—a
-Watchman has gone for a Ladder to
-look through the open Window.” He
-said, “I will send some one to look to
-it,” and passed on.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then the Watchman and another Man
-appeared, carrying a long Ladder between
-them. They set it against the Window,
-and the Watchman went up. When he
-had looked in, he cried out in a fearful
-Voice, “There’s a Woman in white, lying
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>all along on the Floor, seemingly dead,
-with a Casket of Jewels in her Hand.—Shall
-I go in?”—“Aye, do,” I exclaimed.
-The other Man, hearing talk
-of Jewels, cried, “Here, come you down,
-if you be afraid, and I’ll go in,” and
-gave the Ladder a little Shake; which,
-however, only made the Watchman at
-once jump through the Window. Then
-up came two Men, saying, “We are from
-my <i>Lord Mayor</i>, empowered to seal up
-any Property that may be left, if the
-Family indeed be dead.”—So they went
-up the Ladder too, and the other Man
-had no Mind to go now; and presently
-the Watchman comes out of the
-House-door, looking very pale, and
-says he, “Besides the Lady on the
-Floor, with all her Jewels about her,
-there’s not a Soul, alive nor dead, in
-the House; the others must have
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>escaped over the back Walls and Out-houses.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then my Heart gave a great Beat, for
-I concluded <i>Mark</i> had escaped, leaving
-his Wife to die alone; and now all my
-Thoughts returned to my Father. I
-hastened to one or two Acquaintances of
-his, who, it was just possible, might have
-seen him; but their Houses were one
-and all shut up, and, lying some Way
-apart from each other, this took up much
-Time. I now became bewildered and
-almost wild, not knowing where to look
-for him; and catching like a drowning
-Man at a Straw, I went to <i>Lime Street</i>.
-Here I went all up one Side and all
-down the other, knocking at every Door
-that was not padlocked. At first I made
-my Inquiries coherently enough, and
-explained my Distress and got a civil
-Answer; but, as I went on and still did
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>not find him, my Wits seemed to unsettle,
-and, when any one came to the
-Door, which was often not till after much
-knocking and waiting, I had got nothing
-to say to them but, “Have you seen my
-Father?” and when they stared and
-said, “Who is your Father?” I could
-not rightly bring his Name to Mind.
-This gave me some Sign of Wildness, I
-suppose, for after a While, the People
-did not so much look strange as pitying,
-and said, “Who is your Father, poor
-Girl?” and waited patiently for me to
-answer. All except one rough Man,
-who cried fiercely, “In the Dead-pit in
-<i>Aldgate</i>, very likely, where my only
-Child will be to-night.” Then I lost
-Sense altogether, and shrieked, “Oh!
-he’s in the Pit! <i>Father! Father!</i>”
-and went running through the Streets,
-a-wringing my Hands. At length a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>Voice far off answered, “Daughter!
-Daughter! here I am!” and I rushed
-towards it, crying, “Oh, where? I’m
-coming! I’m coming!” And so got
-nearer and nearer till it was only just at
-the Turn of the next Street; but when
-I gained it, I came upon a Party of
-disorderly young Men. One of them
-cries, “Here I am, Daughter!” and
-burst out laughing. But I said, “Oh,
-you are not he,” and brake away from
-him.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Stay, I know all about him,” cries
-another. “Was he tall or short?” Oh,
-wicked, wicked Men, thought I, ’tis such
-as you that break Fathers’ Hearts!</p>
-
-<div id='i166'  class='figcenter id017'>
-<img src='images/i166.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>How I got back to the <i>Bridge</i>, I know
-not. I was put to Bed in a raging
-Fever. In my Deliration I seemed to
-see my Father talking earnestly with
-another Man whose Face I knew not,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>and who appeared to hear him with Impatience,
-and want to leave him, but my
-Father laid his Hand upon his Arm.
-Then the other, methought, plucked a
-heavy Bag from under his Cloke, and cast
-it towards my Father, crying, “Plague
-take it and you too!” Then methought
-my Father took it up and walked off
-with it into the Street, but as he went, he
-changed Colour, stopped short, staggered,
-and fell. Presently I seemed to hear a
-Bell, and a dismal Voice crying, “Bring
-out your Dead!”—and a Cart came
-rumbling along, and a Man held a Lanthorn
-to my Father’s Face, and without
-more Ado, took him up and cast him
-into the Cart. Then methought, a Man
-in the Cart turned the Horse about, and
-drove away without waiting to call anywhere
-else, to a dismal lone Field, lying
-all in the Blackness of Darkness, where
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>the Cart turned about, and shot a Heap
-of senseless Bodies into a great, yawning
-Pit ... them that a few Hours back
-had been strong, hearty Men, beautiful
-Women, smiling Children.</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i168.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>
-  <h2 id='ch10' class='c007'>CHAPTER X</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>A Friend in Need</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-w.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-WHEN I returned to my
-Reason, it was with an inexpressible
-Sense of Weakness
-and Weariness. The
-first Thing I saw was dear
-<i>Violet’s</i> Face close to mine, her large, dark
-Eyes fixed full upon me; and as soon as
-she saw that I knew her, she exclaims,
-“<i>Cherry</i>, dear <i>Cherry</i>! I thought I had
-no more Tears left to shed, but I must
-cry again with Pleasure now—” and
-wept over me.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Is he come back yet?” She
-said, “You must only think of getting
-well now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>“Ah,” I said, “I know he is not,”
-and turned my Head away, and still
-felt her warm Tears dropping over me.
-They seemed to heal where they fell;
-and presently, I shed Tears too, which
-cleared my Head, and somewhat relieved
-me; but oh! the Weakness!—</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I was very slow getting well. All the
-While, dear <i>Violet</i> kept with me, read to
-me, cheered me, cherished me ... oh,
-what a Friend! How Trouble brings
-out the real Good in People’s Characters,
-if there be any!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Before I was well able to sit up,
-Master <i>Benskin</i> sent in Word he had
-Something important to say to me as
-soon as I was equal to hearing it. I
-thought he might have got some Clue to
-my Father, and said I was quite equal to
-hearing Anything he had to tell. Then
-he came in, treading on Tip-toe, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>looking very awe-stricken; and, says he,
-“Mistress <i>Cherry</i>,”—taking a Chair as
-he spoke, a good Way off from me,—“the
-lamented Event which we may now
-consider to have taken place....”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No, Master <i>Benskin</i>, no,” interrupted
-I, faintly; “I still hope there has been
-<i>no</i> lamented Event——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Makes it my Duty,” continued he,
-without minding me, “to tell you that
-you need be under no Uneasiness about
-pecuniary Circumstances.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I am not, I assure you,” said I. “Oh
-that I had nothing worse to be uneasy
-about!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“This House,” continued he, “was
-your Father’s for ninety-nine Years,
-and is now yours; and he moreover
-had saved six hundred Pounds, three
-hundred of which he lent me, and
-three hundred <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i>, we paying
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>him five per Cent., which we will
-continue to pay you, or hand over to
-you the Principal, whichever you like.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank you, Master <i>Benskin</i>,” said I;
-“I should wish Everything to continue
-just as it is.... I am sure my Father’s
-Money can’t be in better Hands; and
-I shall recommence inquiring for him
-directly I am strong enough, which I
-almost am already.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah,” said he, with a sorrowful Smile
-and a Shake of the Head, “how slow
-Women are to give up Hope!...
-Sure enough, ’tis one of the cardinal
-Virtues; but they practise it as if
-’twere their Nature, without making
-a Merit of it. I wish you well from
-my Heart, Miss <i>Cherry</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>All this While I was fretting to see
-Master <i>Blower</i>. I said often to <i>Violet</i>,
-“I wish Master <i>Blower</i> would look in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>to see me, and talk to me and pray
-with me as he used to do with my
-Mother. Sure, I’m sick enow! and
-he might, for as long as he has known
-me, count me the same as one of his
-own Congregation.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And <i>Violet</i> would make Answer, “Indeed,
-<i>Cherry</i>, if you consider how the
-good Man is wearing himself out among
-his own Flock, going hither and thither
-without setting his Life at a Pin’s Purchase,
-spending all his Time in Visitation
-that is not taken up with the
-Services of the Church, you need not be
-surprised he comes not so far as this,
-especially as he knows not of your
-Affliction nor your Illness.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“How do you, that are not a Church-woman,
-know he does all you say?”
-said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I had it from the old Woman that
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>brings the Curds and Whey,” returned
-<i>Violet</i>; “she, you know, is one of his
-Parishioners; and, from what she says
-of him, it appears he could not do more
-if he were a Dissenter.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“A Dissenter, indeed! I admire that!”
-said I. “If he were a slothful, timid,
-self-indulgent Person, you would bestow
-all his Faults on his Church; but because
-his Light shines before Men, so
-that they cannot help glorifying his
-Father which is in Heaven, you say
-he could hardly do more if he were a
-Dissenter!—I shall go to him as soon
-as ever I get well.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And so I did; while, indeed, I was
-hardly strong enough for so long a Walk;
-for I had a Notion he would tell me
-where to find my Father; or comfort
-me, maybe, if he thought he could not
-be found. It was now late in <i>September</i>.—His
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>Parish was one of the worst in
-<i>Whitechapel</i>,—he lived in a roomy, gloomy
-old Parsonage-house, too large for a single
-Man, in a Street that was now deserted
-and grass-grown. The first Thing I saw
-was a Watchman asleep on the Steps,
-which gave me a Pang; for, having heard
-Master <i>Blower</i> was so active in his Parish,
-I somehow had never reckoned on his
-being among the Sick, though that was
-a very just Reason why he should be.
-I had thought so good a Man would
-lead a charmed Life, forgetful that in
-this World there is often one Event to
-the Righteous and to the Wicked, and
-that if the Good always escaped, no Harm
-would have befallen my Father. However,
-this sudden Shock, for such it was,
-brought Tears into my Eyes, and I began
-to be at my Wits’ End, who should tell
-me now where to find my Father, and to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>lament over the Illness of my good and
-dear Friend, Master <i>Blower</i>. Then I bethought
-me,—Perhaps he is not in the
-House, but may have left it in Charge
-of some Woman, who is ill,—if I waken
-the Watchman, he certainly will not let
-me in; the Key is grasped firmly in his
-Hand, so firmly that I dare not try to
-take it, but yet I must and will get in.—</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then I observed that, in carelessly
-locking the Door, the Lock had overshot
-it, so that, in Fact, the Door, instead of
-being locked, would not even shut. So
-I stept lightly past the Watchman and
-into the House; and the first Thing
-within the Threshold was a Can of Milk,
-turned quite sour, which shewed how
-long it must have stood without any
-Body’s being able to fetch it. I closed
-the Door softly after me, and went into
-all the ground-floor Rooms; they were
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>empty and close shuttered: the Motes
-dancing in the Sunbeams that came
-through the round Holes in the Shutters.
-Then I went softly up Stairs, and
-looked timidly into one or two Chambers,
-not knowing what ghastly Sight I might
-chance upon; but they were tenantless.
-As I stood at pause in the Midst of one
-of them, which was a Sitting-room, and
-had one or two Chairs out of their Places,
-as if it had been never set to rights since
-it was last in Occupation, I was startled
-by hearing a Man in the Room beyond
-giving a loud, prolonged Yawn, as though
-he were saying, “Ho, ho, ho, ho, hum!”
-Then all was silent again: I thought it
-must be Master <i>Blower</i>, and went forward,
-but paused, with my Hand on
-the Lock. Then I thought I heard a
-murmuring Voice within; and, softly
-opening the Door and looking in, perceived
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>a great four-post Bed with dark
-green Curtains drawn close all round it,
-standing in the Midst of a dark oaken
-Floor that had not been bees-waxed recently
-enough to be slippery. Two or
-three tall, straight-backed Chairs stood
-about; a Hat upon one, a Boot upon
-another, quite in the Style of Master
-<i>Blower</i>; and close to the Bed was a
-Table with Jugs, Cups, and Phials, and
-a Night-lamp still burning, though ’twas
-broad Day. The Shutters also were
-partially shut, admitting only one long
-Stream of slanting Light over-against the
-Bed; but whether any one were in the
-Bed, I could not at first make out, for
-all was as still as Death. Presently, however,
-from within the Curtains came a
-somewhat thick Voice, exclaiming, “Oh
-<span class='sc'>Lord</span>, my Heart is ready, my Heart is
-ready! I will sing and give Praise
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>with the best Member that I have!
-Awake, Lute and Harp! I myself
-will awake right early!”</p>
-
-<div id='i179'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i179.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>Here the dear good Man fell a-coughing,
-as if Something stuck in his Throat;
-and I tip-toeing up to the Bedside, withdrew
-the Curtains and softly said, “Master
-<i>Blower</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>Never shall I forget my first Sight of
-him! There he lay on his Back, with
-Everything quite clean and fresh about
-him, not routed and tumbled as most
-Men’s would have been, but as smooth
-as if just mangled:—his Head, without
-e’er a Nightcap, lying straight on his
-Pillow, his Face the Mirror of Composedness
-and Peaceification, and his great,
-brown Eyes, glowing with some steady,
-not feverish Light, turned slowly round
-upon me, as if fresh from beholding
-some beatific, solemnifying Sight.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, <i>Cherry</i>,” says he, looking much
-pleased, “are you come to look on me
-before I die? I thought I had taken
-my last Sight of all below,”—and reaching
-out his Hand to me from under the
-Bedclothes, I was shocked to perceive
-how it was wasted: every Knuckle a
-perfect Knob.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>“Don’t touch me!” cries he, plucking
-it away again, and burying it out
-of Sight,—“I forgot you hadn’t had the
-Plague. What a selfish Fellow I am!—How’s
-your dear Father, <i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I could not withhold myself from
-weeping, and was unable to answer.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, I see how it is,” says he kindly;
-“poor <i>Cherry</i>! poor <i>Cherry</i>! ‘the Righteous
-perish and no Man layeth it to
-Heart,’—I heard a Voice say, ‘Write:
-Blessed are the Dead which die in the
-<span class='sc'>Lord</span>. Yea, saith the Spirit, for they
-rest from their Labours.’... I shall
-see him before you will, <i>Cherry</i>. Go
-Home, Child, go Home, ... this
-Air is fraught with Danger.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “I am not afraid of it, Sir,—I
-would rather stay a While with you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, then,” said he, “just give me
-a Drink of Water, or Anything liquid
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>you can find; for I have had Nothing
-but what I could help myself to, these
-twenty-four Hours. My Throat is so
-bad, I cannot swallow Anything solid....
-Oh! Oh!—” And as he held
-back his Throat to drink, I noticed the
-Plague Swellings.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That will do nicely, now,” sighed
-he, when I had smoothed his Pillow;
-“and now go, I prithee, dear <i>Cherry</i>,
-and look after poor <i>Dorcas</i>, who, I
-fear, must be dead or dying somewhere
-about the House.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I did as he bade me; and, as I
-knew she was not on the Floor below,
-I went in quest of her up Stairs. <i>Dorcas</i>
-had lived with Master <i>Blower</i> ever since
-he commenced Housekeeping; and had
-had the Help of a younger Maid, who
-now, it seemed, had left, or died. She
-was a Widow-woman in her third score,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>eccentric, like her Master, in some
-Matters; but withal, of the sweetest,
-pleasantest Countenance! and of pleasant
-Conditions too, so that they were well
-matched. She preferred being called
-Mistress <i>Peach</i>; but Master <i>Blower</i> liked
-calling her <i>Dorcas</i>, and carried his Point.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I found her in the upper Story, lying
-all across her Bed, dressed, but more dead
-than alive. “Alas! young Woman,”
-says she.... “What! is it Mistress
-<i>Cherry</i>? Heaven be praised! How
-is my Master? Doth he live yet?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, Yes, and I hoped was going
-on well.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah,” says she, “I left him at Death’s
-Door, but could no longer keep about
-myself; so, set him straight as well
-as I could, and then crawled up here,
-thinking to bundle my Mattress down
-Stairs, and at all events die within
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>hearing of him. But ’twas quite beyond
-my Strength.... I fell all along,
-and here I’ve been ever since.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then she began to groan terribly, but
-I made her as comfortable as I could,
-dressed her Throat, persuaded her to
-swallow a little cooling Drink, and
-loosened her Clothes; all which she
-took very thankfully, but then became
-restless about her Master, and prayed
-me to go down to him, for he wanted
-me more than she did.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I returned to Master <i>Blower</i>, whom
-I now found a good deal more suffering
-and feverish than when I left him, and
-beginning to toss about. I quite gave
-up all Intention of leaving the House,
-yet thought <i>Violet</i> might be uneasy about
-me; therefore I stepped down to beg
-the Watchman to send a Message to
-her; but found the House-door locked.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>On my rapping against it and calling,
-he unlocked it and looked in. “Hallo,
-young Woman,” says he, “how came
-you here?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I stepped in while you were asleep,”
-said I, “the Door being ajar.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Asleep? that’s a pretty Tale to tell
-of me,” quoth he. “I wonder if <i>you</i>
-wouldn’t feel sleepy sometimes, sitting
-from Morn to Night on a Door-step,
-full in the Sun!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I want to tell no Tales,” said I,
-“but only desire to send Word to my
-Friends on the <i>Bridge</i> that I cannot
-return to them at present, being wanted
-here.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Return? of course you cannot,” says
-he. “Why, do you suppose Persons are to
-be allowed to walk in and out of Houses
-under Visitation at their Will? ’Tis
-clear against my <i>Lord Mayor’s</i> Orders.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>This had escaped me; however, it
-made no Difference; and he engaged to
-let <i>Violet</i> know the Cause of my Detention.
-Then I returned to my Charges,
-and, to my great Surprise, found <i>Dorcas</i>
-had crawled nearly all down the Flight
-of Stairs between her and Master <i>Blower</i>,
-and was now lying all along. She said,
-“I thought I must see how Master was
-... if you will but tumble the Mattress
-down, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>, I’ll lie just
-within his Door,—then you won’t have
-to run up and down Stairs so often.”
-It did, indeed, make it easier for me to
-attend to them both; and truly I never
-had such a Night before nor since; for
-though my dear Mother’s Sufferings had
-been long drawn out and very sad to
-witness, they had never amounted to
-acute Agony. The Fever of both ran
-very high all Night, and it seemed to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>me that Master <i>Blower</i> in his Deliration
-went through the whole Book of <i>Job</i> in
-his Head, from the disjointed Fragments
-he uttered here and there. Also he
-seemed much argufying with an impenitent
-Sinner in his Flock, his Reasonings
-and tender Persuasives with whom
-were enough to have melted a Stone.
-As to Mistress <i>Peach</i>, I must say her
-Thoughts ran mostly on her Jams, ...
-she conceited herself opening Pot after
-Pot and finding every one fermented;
-and kept exclaiming in a doleful Voice,
-“Oh dear, here’s another Bishop’s Wig!”
-So that, what with being ready to laugh
-at her, and to cry over him, I was quite
-carried out of myself, and away from my
-own Troubles. Towards Day-dawn they
-both became quiet; I fumigated the
-Room, bathed their Temples with Vinegar,
-moistened their Mouths, and then
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>knelt down in a Corner to pray; after
-which, I dozed a little. I had heard the
-Death-cart going its melancholy Round
-during the Night; and had felt thankful
-we had no Dead to be carried out.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>In the Morning, both my Patients
-seemed bettering. <i>Dorcas</i>, with my Help,
-got to her Master’s Bedside, and looked
-in on him. “Dear Sir,” says she, “how
-are you now?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Somewhat easier, but very thirsty,
-Mistress <i>Peach</i>,” says he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh dear, Sir,” says she, “don’t call
-me Mistress <i>Peach</i>, or I shall think
-you’re going to die. I like <i>Dorcas</i> best
-now. What a Mercy it was, Sir, Mistress
-<i>Cherry</i> came in as she did, for we
-were both at Death’s Door. I dare say,
-Sir, you missed me?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“How should I do otherwise?” said
-he, speaking very thick, and with evident
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>Pain.... “I’ve got a Wasp’s Nest in
-my Throat, I think.... How should
-I do otherwise, I say, when no one
-came near me for twenty-four Hours?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, Sir,” says she, “I’m sure I beg
-your Pardon for behaving so ill,—for
-<i>being</i> so ill, that is; but indeed I could
-not help it. I thought,” continues she,
-turning to me, “I wouldn’t die, as ’twere,
-just under his Nose, so crawled out of
-Sight; but put Everything near him
-that he could want before I took the
-Liberty of leaving him; and did the
-best Thing I could for him at parting,
-by putting a fine drawing Plaster round
-his Throat.... Pray, Sir, did it
-draw?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Draw?” cries he, with the first indignant
-Flash I ever saw from his pleasant
-Eyes ... and ’twas half humourous, too,—“Like
-a Cart-horse! I should have
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>been dead Hours ago, you Woman, had
-I kept it on!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Sorrowful as I was, I could not help
-bursting out a-laughing, and he did so
-too, when suddenly stopping short and
-looking very odd,—“I don’t know whatever
-has given way in my Throat,”
-says he, “but verily I think that Laugh
-has saved me! Here! give me some
-Water, or Milk, or Anything to drink,
-for I can swallow now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I gave him some Water, and ran
-down Stairs for some Milk, the Night-watchman
-having promised to set some
-within the Door. When I got back,
-there was quite another Expression on his
-Face; composed and thankful. <i>Dorcas</i>
-was shedding Tears as she tended him,
-quite thoughtless of herself.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Now, <i>Cherry</i>,” says he, “do persuade
-this dear Woman to lie down and take
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>Care of herself, for she has had Faith
-enough in her famous Plasters to have
-put one about her own Throat, and I
-know what she must be suffering, or
-will have to suffer.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I gently led her back to her Mattress,
-and then, sitting down by Master
-<i>Blower</i>, fed him with some Sponge-cake
-that was none the worse for being stale
-when sopped in Milk, warm from the
-Cow. He took it with great Satisfaction,
-and said he hoped I should not think
-him greedy when I remembered how
-long he had fasted. Then he would not
-be peaceified till I went down Stairs and
-breakfasted by myself: telling me his
-Mind to him a Kingdom was, or somewhat
-to that Effect, which I could
-thoroughly believe. When I came back,
-<i>Dorcas</i> seemed sleeping soundly, though
-not very easily. Master <i>Blower</i> had got
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>the same heavenly Look as when I first
-saw him. I asked him if there were
-Anything I could do for him. He said,
-Yes, I could read him the fortieth Psalm.
-When I had done so, he said, “And now
-you can read me the hundred and sixteenth.”
-That, he said, would do to
-reflect upon, and I might go my Ways
-now; he should want Nothing more for
-a good While. So I sat down in a great
-Arm-chair with a tall Back, wherein, the
-Chair being mighty comfortable, and I
-somewhat o’erwearied with watching,
-(not being very strong yet,) or ever I
-was aware I fell asleep, which certainly
-was not very good Nursing nor good
-Manners.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I woke up, which may perhaps
-have been not so soon as it seemed to me,
-“Well, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>,” says Master
-<i>Blower</i>, somewhat ironically, “I hope
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>you have had a good Nap. A Penny
-for your Dream.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said it had been a wonderful pleasant
-one ... too wonderful, I feared, to come
-true.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, let’s have it, nevertheless,” says
-he; “I like hearing wonderful Dreams
-sometimes, when I’ve Nothing better
-to do. So, now for it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—When I came to think it over,
-however, it seemed so different, waking
-and sleeping, that I despaired of making
-it seem to him Anything like what it
-had seemed to me.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Come,” said he, “you’re making a
-new one.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh no, Sir!” said I, “I would
-not do such a Thing on any Account.—My
-Dream was this;—only
-I fear you’ll call it a comical one....
-Methought I was walking with
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>you, Sir, (I beg your Pardon for
-dreaming of you, which I should not
-have done if I had not been nursing
-of you, I dare say)——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Pardon’s granted,” says he. “Go on.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I thought, Sir, I was walking with
-you in a Garden all full of Roses,
-Pinks, Crownations, Columbines, Jolly-flowers,
-Heartsease, and—and....”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“A Kiss behind the Garden-gate,”
-says he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I was quite thrown out; and said,
-I did not believe there was such a
-Flower.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Oh yes, there is,” says he,—“Well
-but the rest of your Dream——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That’s all, Sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>All?</i>” cries he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Yes, Sir; only that we went on
-walking and walking, and the Garden
-was so mighty pleasant.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>“Why, you told me there was Something
-wonderful in it!” says he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said it <i>had</i> seemed wonderful at
-the Time——</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That there was <i>not</i> a Kiss behind
-the Garden-gate,” says he, laughing.
-“O fie, <i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I felt quite ashamed; and said it
-was very silly to tell Dreams, or to
-believe in them.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, yes,” said he seriously, “it <i>is</i>
-foolish to believe in the disjointed
-Images thrown together by a distempered
-Fancy; though aforetime
-it oft pleased our <span class='sc'>Heavenly Father</span>
-to communicate his Will to his Servants
-through the Avenues of their
-sleeping Senses. How should you
-and I be walking in a Garden together?
-There are no Gardens in
-<i>Whitechapel, Cherry</i>. In <i>Berkshire</i>, indeed,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>my Brother the Squire has a
-Garden something like what you describe,
-full of Roses, Pinks, and Gilly-flowers,
-with great, flourished iron
-Gates, and broad, turfen Walks, and
-Arbours, like green Wigs, and clipped
-Hedges full of Snails, and Ponds full
-of Fish. If I go down there to get
-well, <i>Cherry</i>, as peradventure I may,
-for I shall want setting up again
-before I’m fit for Work—(I’ve fallen
-away till I’m as thin as <i>Don Quixote</i>!)
-I’ll ask his Wife to invite you down,
-<i>Cherry</i>, to see the Garden; and then
-we’ll look up all those Flowers we
-were talking about.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank you kindly, Sir,” said I,
-sorrowfully, “but I don’t think I can
-go.... I must be looking for my
-Father.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Your Father!” cries he, in Amaze.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>“Why, dear <i>Cherry</i>, I thought you told
-me he was dead!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I tried to answer him, but could not,
-and fell a-sobbing.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Come,” says he, quite moved, “I
-want to hear all this sad Story.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I was composed enough to tell
-it him, he listened with deep Attention,
-and I saw a Tear steal down his Cheek.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” says he at length, “you must
-give over hoping he will return, my
-Dear. There is not a Likelihood of it.
-Consider how long a Time has elapsed
-since he went forth; and how many, as
-dear to their Families as your Father to
-you, have been cut off in the Streets at
-a Moment’s Notice, and carried off to
-the Dead-pits before they were recognised.
-For such awful Casualties the
-Good are not unprepared. Instead of
-carrying back Infection and Desolation
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>to his Home, and lingering for Hours
-and Days in unspeakable Agonies, the
-good Man was doubtless carried at
-once to the Bosom of his <span class='sc'>God</span>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then he spake Words that killed
-Hope, and yet brought Healing; and
-after weeping long and plentifully, I
-began to see Things as he did, and to
-feel convinced I should see my Father’s
-Face no more: which, indeed, I never
-did.</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i198.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>
-  <h2 id='ch11' class='c007'>CHAPTER XI</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Distinction between would &amp; should</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-d.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-DORCAS, who continued
-very ill all this Day, began
-thereafter to amend, and
-was able to take the sole
-Night-watch. But the
-Watchman would not let me go forth,
-though he would send my Messages to
-<i>Violet</i>, and give me the Packages of
-Clothing and so forth that <i>Violet</i> sent me.
-However, one Day a Doctor called, and
-gave as his Reason for not coming before,
-that he had been ill himself. And he
-said both my Patients were in such a fair
-Way of Recovery, that he thought in
-another Week I might leave the House
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>without Danger to myself or others, only
-attending to the proper Fumigations.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Master <i>Blower</i> now sat up in his easy
-Chair, half wakeful, half dozing, for he
-was too weak to read much. But he
-liked me to read to him, which I did for
-Hours together; and the Subject-matter
-of the Book often gave Rise to much
-pleasant Talk, insomuch that I began to
-be secretly and selfishly sorry that the
-Time was so near at Hand when he
-would be well enough to do without
-me.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At other Times I got him to talk
-to me about the Country-house of his
-Brother, the Squire, wherein he himself
-had been born, and had spent all his
-boyish Days. And when I heard him
-tell about the little ivy-covered Church,
-and the pretty Churchyard planted with
-Flowers, and the rustic Congregation in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>their red Cloaks and white Frocks, and
-the Village Choir with their Pipes and
-Rebecks, it seemed to me I would rather,
-a thousand Times, be Vicar or even
-Curate of such a Place as that than have
-ever such a large, grand Living in <i>Whitechapel</i>.
-And so I told him.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At other Times I sat sewing quite
-silent by the Window, leaving him to
-doze if he could; and sometimes I could
-see without looking up, that his Eye
-would rest on me for a good While at
-a Time. I did not care a Pin about it,
-and made as though I took no Notice.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” says he, after one of these
-Ruminations, “what have the Men been
-about that you have never got married?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I plucked up my Spirit on this; and,
-“Sir,” said I, “if you can tell me of
-any suitable Answer I can possibly
-make to such a Question as that, I’ll
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>be much obliged to you for it, and
-will make Use of it!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well!” says he, “it <i>was</i> a queer
-Question ... only, the Thing seems
-so wonderful to me! Such a pretty
-Girl as you were when I first knew
-you!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, that was a long While ago,
-Sir,” said I, threading my Needle.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It was!” said he, decidedly; and
-then looking at me in an amused Kind
-of Way, to see how I took it. “A long
-While ago, as you say, <i>Cherry</i>! And,
-do you know, I think exactly the same
-of you now, that I did then!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I am very much obliged to you,
-Sir,” said I; and went to make him a
-Bread-pudding.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Another Time, we fell to talking about
-the Awfulness of the Visitation, which,
-he said, he feared would make no lasting
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>Impression on the People. And he spoke
-much about individual Sins helping to
-bring down national Chastisements; and
-individual Intercessions and Supplications
-inviting Forgiveness of general Transgressions;
-quoting <i>Daniel</i>, and <i>Abraham</i>,
-and <i>Jeremiah</i>, “Run ye to and fro through
-the Streets of <i>Jerusalem</i>, and see now
-and know, and seek in the broad Places
-thereof, if ye can find a Man that
-executeth Judgment, that seeketh the
-Truth; and I will pardon it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Another Time, feeling weaker than
-common, he began to despond about getting
-down to his Brother the Squire’s.
-I said, “Dear Sir, if you are not equal
-to so long a Journey, you can come,
-for Change of Air, to your old Quarters
-on the Bridge.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, <i>Cherry</i>,” said he, faintly smiling,
-“what would Folks say if I did that?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>“Why, what <i>should</i> they say, Sir?”
-said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I’m not considering what they <i>should</i>
-say,” said he; “what they <i>would</i> say,
-<i>Cherry</i>, would probably be, that I meant
-to marry you; or ought to mean it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said I did not suppose they would
-or could say any such Thing; I being
-so long known on the Bridge,—and he
-of his Years——</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Humph!” said he, “I am but forty-four!
-To hear you talk, one might
-think I was a—” ... I forget what
-Sort of an Arian he called himself,—“Do
-you know what that means, <i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, I believed it was some Sort of
-a Dissenter. On which he laughed outright;
-and said it meant sixty or seventy
-Years of Age, I forget which.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“And I’m not quite such an old Codger
-as that,” said he, “so I won’t accept
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>your kind Invitation, though I thank
-you heartily for it. But we must not
-let our Good be evil spoken of.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>All this was spoken in such a simple,
-genial, attaching Sort of a Way,—for his
-Manners were always gentle and well-nurtured,—that
-it only went to make me
-like him more and more, and think what
-a Privilege it was to be thus in hourly
-Communion with Master <i>Blower</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Parting Time came at last. It was my
-own Fault if I left not that House a
-wiser, better, and happier Woman. <i>Dorcas</i>
-and I saw him start off for <i>Berkshire</i>;
-and there was a Tear in my Eye, when
-he took my Hand to bid me Farewell.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” said he, still holding my
-Hand, and looking at me with great
-Goodness and Sweetness, “I shall never
-forget that to you, under Heaven, I
-owe my Life. And, by the Way, there
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>is Something I have often thought of
-naming to you, only that it never
-occurred to me at the proper Time
-... a very odd Circumstance.—When
-I escaped to <i>Holland</i>, and, as some
-People thought, was in Want of Money,
-I found seven gold Pieces in the Inside
-of one of my Slippers! Who could
-have put them there, do you think?
-Ah, <i>Cherry</i>!—There! <span class='sc'>God</span> bless
-you!”</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i206.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>
-  <h2 id='ch12' class='c007'>CHAPTER XII</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Camping out in Epping Forest</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-w.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-WHEN I returned Home,
-my Neighbours looked
-strangely on me, as though
-I were one risen from the
-Dead, after nursing two
-People through the Plague without Hurt.
-I said not much, however, to any of them
-except to <i>Violet</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I had told her all I had to tell,
-she said, “Well, I think the Tale ends
-rather flatly: you and Master <i>Blower</i>
-might as well have made a Match
-of it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Truly, <i>Violet</i>,” said I, “I think Women
-of our age may be capable of a disinterested
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>Action, without Question of
-Matchmaking.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“As to Women of <i>our</i> Age,” retorted
-she, “speak for yourself, if you please!
-You may make out yourself to be as
-old as you will; but I mean to stick
-at Twenty-eight!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said not another Word, but secretly
-wondered how strangely tender some
-People are on the Subject of Age. Even
-Master <i>Blower</i>, who had owned to Forty-four,
-did not like me to reckon him at
-Fifty.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>It was now quite the latter End of
-<i>October</i>, the Distemper was abating, and
-People were beginning to venture back
-to their Homes, and a few Shops were
-re-opened. <i>Hugh Braidfoot</i> and his
-Family returned among the rest. But
-too heedless an Exposure to the Infection
-yet lingering among us caused the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>Distemper to rage again with great Fury
-before it abated for good.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I now kept myself close, and spent
-the Chief of the Day at my Needle or
-Book, working much for the Poor, who
-were like enough to be destitute in the
-Winter. First, however, I put on
-Mourning for my poor, dear Father,
-whom I could not bear to deny this
-Mark of Remembrance, though the
-Mortality being so great, People had
-quite left off wearing Black for their
-Friends. Much he dwelt in my sad,
-solitary Thoughts; and when they ran
-not on him, they chiefly settled on
-Master <i>Blower</i>. The more I considered
-their Characters, the more Beauty I
-found in them.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I never opened the Shop-shutters now,
-except for a little Light. Trade was
-utterly stagnant; and my Father’s Business
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>had dropped with him. The little
-I might have done in the Perfumery
-Line, had the Town not been empty,
-would not have been worth speaking
-of: it was a Mercy, therefore, that my
-dear Father had left me well provided.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>One Evening, when it was getting
-too dusk to work or read, and I was
-falling into a Muse, a tall Shadow
-darkened the Door, which happened to
-be ajar, and the next Moment a Man
-whom I did not immediately recognise,
-entered the Parlour and stepped up
-to me.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry!</i> dear <i>Cherry</i>!” he said in
-a stifled Voice, and took me in his Arms
-with a Brother’s Affection. It was poor
-<i>Mark</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Dear <i>Mark</i>!” I said, “where <i>have</i>
-you been? Oh, how often have I
-thought of you!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>“Aye, <i>Cherry</i>, well you might, and
-pray for me, too,” said he, somewhat
-wildly. “Oh, what a Tale I have
-to tell you!—You will either hate
-or despise me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You are ill, very ill,” said I, looking
-fearfully at his haggard Face; “let me
-give you Something before you say
-another Word.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Wine, then,” said he; and drank
-with avidity the Glass I poured out, and
-then filled it again himself. “Thanks,
-dear <i>Cherry</i>!—will my Uncle be
-coming in?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I looked at him and at my Dress,
-and could not speak; but there was
-no need—“Ah!”—said he; and wrung
-my Hand, and then dropped it.</p>
-
-<div id='i212'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i212.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” said he, after a Moment’s
-Pause, “you know how afraid I was of
-the Plague, and how my Wife taunted
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>me for it, and for taking the commonest
-Precautions. She herself braved it,
-defied it; secure in her Amulet and
-Fortune-telling. What was worse, she
-cruelly exposed her Servants to it, for
-the merest Trifles. We had Words
-about it often: bitter Words, at last—She
-accused me, utterly without Foundation,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>of caring more for the Servant-girl
-than for her, reviled me for tempting
-my own Fate by Fear; finally, said
-I should be no great Loss, for I had
-never cared much for her, nor she for
-me. All this embittered me against
-her. Well, the poor Maid caught the
-Plague at the Butchers’ Stalls, and, the
-next Night, was in the Dead-cart. The
-following Day, our youngest ’Prentice
-died. The other decamped in the
-Night. I now became nearly Mad
-with Fear and Anger; and, finding
-my Wife would not stir, or at least,
-as she said, ‘not yet,’ I considered that
-Self-preservation was the first Law of
-Nature; and, taking a good Supply of
-Money with me, I left the House in the
-Night. Fear of being driven back was
-my sole Feeling till I got clear out of
-<i>London</i>; then, I began to have an Impression
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>I had done wrong. But ’twas
-Death, ’twas Madness to think of turning
-back. On I went....</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It had been my Impression, <i>Cherry</i>,
-that, with plenty of Money in my
-Pocket, I could make my Way wherever
-I would; but now, in whatever
-Direction I went, I came upon a
-Watchman, who, because I had no
-Clean Bill of Health to show, would
-not let me pass. At length, after running
-hither and thither, throughout the
-Night, I came upon a couple of Men,
-with a small Cart and Horse. They
-seemed to be in the same Strait as myself,
-and talked of fetching a Compass
-to <i>Bow</i>. I asked them to let me join
-them, and they consented. They were
-a rough Sort of Fellows; one it seemed
-had deserted his Mother, the other his
-Wife. Their Conduct, and their brutal
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>Way of talking of it, only made mine
-seem more ugly.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“On <i>Bow Bridge</i> the Watch would
-have questioned us, but we crossed the
-Road into a narrow Way leading to
-<i>Old Ford</i>. Afterwards we got on to
-<i>Homerton</i> and <i>Hackney</i>, and at length
-into the northern Road. Here we went
-on till we saw some Men running towards
-us; then we struck into a Lane,
-halted at a Barn, and had some Bread
-and Cheese. The Food was theirs, but
-I paid for my Share; and I saw them
-curiously eyeing my Money. Afterwards
-they asked one or two Questions
-about my Resources, which I did not
-much like.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, we kept on till we were many
-Miles from <i>London</i>, occasionally dodging
-Villages and Constables. At Nightfall
-we reached the Skirt of a Wood.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>Here my Companions proposed to sleep;
-but as soon as they were fairly off, I
-stole away. I wandered a long Way
-from them in the Wood; at length
-took refuge in a Cow-shed. I thought
-I heard Voices, not far off, which made
-me uneasy; however, I was so tired
-that I fell asleep.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“As soon as Day dawned, I made off;
-and, not knowing which Track to take,
-went on at Random, till I came to a
-large old Barn. To my Surprise, I
-heard some one praying within. I
-looked in, and saw, not one, but a
-dozen Men, and two or three Women
-and Children. I stood reverently aside
-till the old Man had done, and heard
-him pray that they might all continue
-to be spared from the awful Visitation.
-When they uncovered their Faces, I
-stept forward, on which there was a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>loud Cry, and they warned me off. It
-was to no Use speaking, they would
-not hear me as I had no Passport.
-Dispirited and hungry, I strayed away
-till I came to the Skirt of the Wood,
-in Sight of a Cluster of Houses. I was
-about to make for them, when three
-Men, with a Pitchfork, Bludgeon, and
-Horsewhip, rushed upon me and collared
-me, saying, ‘Here’s one of them!’—I
-struggled, and said, ‘One of whom?
-I belong to no Party, and am a healthy,
-innocent Man.’ ‘That sounds well,’
-said one of them, ‘but we guess you are
-one of a Gang that, after threatening
-and intimidating our Town yesterday,
-broke into a lone Farmhouse last Night;
-so we’ll take you before a Magistrate.’
-‘Do so,’ said I, ‘for it will be better
-than starving in the Wood, and I shall
-be able to clear myself.’ So, after a
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>Time, finding I made no Resistance,
-they gave over dragging me, and let
-me walk by myself, only keeping close
-about me, with an ugly Bull-dog at my
-Heels. However, I did not feel over-sure,
-<i>Cherry</i>, that my Story would satisfy
-the Magistrate, so when we reached a
-small Public-house where we found a
-Constable, I privately slipped a Half-crown
-into his Hand, and he, after a little
-Parley, gave it as his Opinion that I
-was an honest Man, whereon the others
-desisted from giving me in Charge.
-But they would by no Means admit me
-into the House, only brought out some
-Bread and Beer and set them at a Distance,
-and then went away while I ate
-and drank.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“There seemed nothing to do but to
-turn again into the Wood; and as I
-was without Object, foot-sore, and spiritless,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>I paused at the first inviting Spot I
-came to, and cast myself along under a
-Tree. Here I suppose I slept a good
-While: when I awoke, it was with a
-strange Sense of Depression, and it
-occurred to me I might be plague-stricken
-after all. As if I could fly yet
-from the Distemper, if that were the
-Case, I resolved to be moving; for I
-had no Mind to die like a Rat in a
-Hole. Just then I heard Voices close
-on the other Side the Tree; and, eyeing
-the Speakers between the Branches,
-could make out a numerous Band of
-Men and a few Women, who were
-eating and drinking. I did not like
-their Appearance much, and thought
-of retreating, when one of them, seeing
-me stir, cries,—‘A Spy!’ and drags me
-into the Midst. I was pretty roughly
-handled till they settled it to their Minds
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>I was a harmless Sort of a Fellow; and
-then they told me they would let me
-join the Crew if I would cast my Lot
-among them, and put whatever I had
-about me into the common Stock. I
-was no Ways minded to do this; however,
-I gave them a few Shillings,
-which, after a little Demur, they took,
-and I then was free of the Company. I
-soon had Reason to apprehend they
-were the Band who had affrighted the
-Townsmen the Day before, and plundered
-the Farm in the Night; and it
-seemed as if a select Council of them
-were concerting Something of the Sort
-again, though they did not invite me
-to participate. As this was not the Sort
-of Company I had any Mind to associate
-with, I dragged through the Afternoon
-and Evening as well as I could, mostly
-apart. They then began to put up
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>Booths and Tents for the Night, at
-which I was glad to assist, rather than
-do Nothing; but I lay a little Way off,
-under a Tree. In the Night I felt
-some one lugging at the little Parcel of
-Clothing I laid my Head upon.—I hit
-a Blow at Random, which made whoever
-it was move off without a Word;
-and then I thought it was Time for me
-to move off too. I got away unperceived,
-and could not settle again all
-Night. When Day broke, I was in a
-Part of the Forest that was new to me....
-The Sun was shining on some
-gnarled old Oaks, and along green
-Glades; there were Birds singing, Hares
-running across the Grass, and Wildflowers
-overhanging a little Brook of
-clear Water. Oh, <i>Cherry</i>! how I
-should have enjoyed idling in such a
-Place if I had had a quiet Mind!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>“I drank some Water, and washed my
-Face; and just then I saw some Women
-passing through the Trees, carrying
-large, country Loaves, and tin Cans of
-Milk. They did not see me, but set
-down their Burthens near a large Stone.
-Then they retreated and stood a little
-Way off, and presently, two pretty-looking
-Girls came tripping out of the
-Wood, took up the Loaves, emptied the
-Milk into brown Pitchers of their own,
-put some Silver on the Stone, and cried,
-‘Here’s your Money, good People!’”</p>
-
-<div id='i222'  class='figcenter id018'>
-<img src='images/i222.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Then they returned into the Wood,
-and I followed them. I said, ‘Shall I
-carry one of your Pitchers?’ They
-looked affrighted, and cried, ‘Pray, Sir,
-keep off ... how do we know that
-you may not have the Plague?’ I said,
-‘I assure you, it was to escape from the
-Plague that I came into the Wood, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>here I seem likely to starve, though I
-have Plenty of Money.’ They looked
-at one another, and said, ‘If it be true,
-his Case is hard,—let us tell my Father.’
-They went away, and by and by an
-elderly Man came to me from among
-the Trees. He questioned me very
-narrowly, and satisfying himself at
-length that I was both sound and respectable,
-he admitted me to their little
-Encampment, which consisted of five
-or six little Huts, a Family in each;
-besides a few Cabins the single Men
-had set up for themselves. I did the
-like, added my Stock to theirs, and
-continued with them all the Time their
-Encampment lasted, which was till
-Yesterday, when, the Weather turning
-cold, and the News of the Abatement
-of the Distemper having reached us, we
-resolved to return to our Homes.—I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>could make you quite in Love with our
-Camp Life, <i>Cherry</i>, if I chose to enlarge
-upon some Things, and leave others out
-of Sight,—in short, make it appear the
-Thing it was not. But, honestly speaking,
-though we were very thankful to
-buy our Safety at the Price of much
-Inconvenience, all the Romance of our
-Situation soon faded away, and we were
-right glad to set our Faces homewards
-again, even without being fully certified
-we could do so with Impunity.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“But, to what a Home did I return!
-The House was padlocked up, and
-Everything in the Possession of the
-<i>Lord Mayor</i>. And, from a Watchman
-out of Employ, who was taking Care
-of a House over the Way, and who
-did not know me, I heard the Circumstances
-of my Wife’s frightful Death.
-Oh, <i>Cherry</i>! we did not care for each
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>other much; but I fear it was cowardly
-and cruel of me to forsake her!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—And <i>Mark</i> laid his Head on his
-Arms and wept. Presently he said,
-“What to do, I know not. I shall be
-able, by Application to the <i>Lord Mayor</i>
-to-morrow, to get back my House and
-Property; but—to tell you the Truth—I
-have no great Fancy to go back
-there; at any Rate, till the House has
-been well fumigated. So that ... will
-you take Compassion on me, and let
-me return awhile to my old Quarters,
-<i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Of course I said I would.</p>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>
-  <h2 id='ch13' class='c007'>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Ghosts</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-i.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-IT was now Supper-time;
-and <i>Mark</i>, having lessened
-the Sense of his Troubles
-by telling of them, although
-he began by
-thinking he could not eat a Mouthful,
-ended by making a very hearty Supper.
-Indeed, he so much commended the
-one or two simple Dishes set upon
-Table, and spoke so strongly, though
-briefly, on the Subject of good and bad
-Cookery, that, as it had been his Disposition
-to be contented with Anything
-that was set before him in his unmarried
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>Days, I set it all down to the Discomfort
-of his late Life in the Forest. Afterwards
-I was disposed to change my
-Mind about this, and to decide that
-Mistress <i>Blenkinsop</i>, who in their early
-married Days had pampered and petted
-him amazingly, (whereby his good Looks
-had suffered no little,) had really destroyed
-the simple Tastes which were
-once so becoming in him, and had made
-him Something of an Epicure.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>After the Table was cleared, he drew
-near me again, and with real Concern
-in his Manner, pressed me to tell him
-about my Father. I did so from first
-to last, with many Tears; adding thereunto
-my nursing of Master <i>Blower</i>. He
-sighed a good many Times as I went
-on, and after I had done; exclaiming
-at last, “What a Difference between you
-and me!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>“All People have not the same Qualifications,”
-said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No,” said he, and seemed to think
-I had now hit the right Nail on the
-Head.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“And <i>Violet</i>——” said he, after a
-Pause, and colouring deeply. “Is she
-quite well, <i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Quite,” I said; and could think of
-Nothing more to say.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I wonder,” said he in a low Voice,
-as if he were almost afraid to hear the
-Echo of his own Thoughts, “whether
-she would now have Anything to say
-to me?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, looking away from him, “Such
-Questions as that should only be put to
-the Parties concerned.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You are right,” said he; and sat
-a long While silent, leaning his Head
-upon his Hand. At length, he said,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>“I am rich now, and she is poor,
-<i>Cherry</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Riches and Poverty don’t
-make much Difference, <i>Mark</i>, when
-People really love one another.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“As I have loved—” said he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “It is Bed-time now, and here
-is <i>Dolly</i> coming in to Prayers.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>The next Morning, he said he must
-go to the <i>Lord Mayor</i> about his House.
-For the abandoned Effects of such Families
-as were entirely swept away and left
-no known Heirs, went to the <i>King</i>, who
-made them over to the <i>Lord Mayor</i> and
-<i>Aldermen</i>, to be applied to the Use of
-the Poor; and <i>Mark’s</i> Absence had made
-it appear that his Property was in that
-Case.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Soon after he was gone, the uncommon,
-and, I may almost say, unparalleled Event
-occurred to me of receiving a Letter; I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>was so surprised at the Circumstance,
-that for the Moment, I thought it must
-be <i>from my Father</i>; or, at least, to tell
-me he was alive. But no, it was from
-Master <i>Blower</i>; and this was what he
-put in it:</p>
-
-<div id='i231'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i231.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='c018'>“<i>Bucklands Hall, Berks.</i></div>
-<div class='c019'>“<i>Oct. 27, 1665.</i></div>
-
-<p class='c020'>“Dear Mistress <i>Cherry</i>,</p>
-<p class='c021'>“On first coming down
-here, I was so ill at Ease and out of
-Sorts, as to require much Care and
-Nursing. Heaven be praised, I am
-now well, and I hope you are the same.
-Though the Pinks and Gilly-flowers
-are pretty well over, there are still some
-gay Autumn Flowers in the old Garden
-with the Iron Gate; and my Brother,
-the Squire, and his good Wife want
-to see the brave Mistress <i>Cherry</i> who
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>nursed me through the Plague. So
-come down to us, dear <i>Cherry</i>, to-morrow,
-if you can. <i>John</i>, the Coachman
-(a steady Man), will be at your
-Door, with a white Horse and a Pillion,
-at Seven o’ the Clock. And be so
-good, if it will not be inconvenient to
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>you, as to bring my Sister-in-Law a
-little Mace and green Ginger; and
-also (on my Account) one of those
-Saffron-cakes they used to be so famous
-for at the Bridge foot.</p>
-
-<p class='c020'>“Your faithful and obliged Friend,</p>
-<div class='c019'>“<span class='sc'>Nathanael Blower</span>.</div>
-
-<p class='c020'>“If you don’t come, you must write.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>Here was an Event! An Invitation
-to the Country was a still more startling
-Occurrence than the Receipt of a Letter.
-Many of the Circumstances connected
-with it were delightful; but then, it
-seemed so strange, so awful, to go to
-stay with People I had never seen, ...
-such grand People, too! I that was so
-unused to fine Company, and did not
-know how to behave!—And Master
-<i>Blower</i> knew all this, knew exactly what
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>I was, and yet had prevailed with them
-to say they should be happy to see me!—Oh,
-his Goodness of Heart had this
-Time carried him too far! They had
-said so just to please him, without expecting
-I should go!—And yet, if the
-Lady were <i>very</i> much put to it for Mace
-and green Ginger.... And if Master
-<i>Blower’s</i> Heart were very much set upon
-giving her the Saffron-cake.... I supposed
-I had better go. If I found myself
-very much out of Place, I could come
-away the next Day.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then I thought I would go and consult
-<i>Violet</i>; for, in Fact, I wanted a little
-persuading to do what I very much liked.
-So I stepped across the Bridge. The
-Shop was open, but nobody was in it;
-so I went to the Parlour Door, and
-opened it.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Directly I had done so, I saw <i>Violet</i>
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>and <i>Mark</i>, sitting close together, their
-Backs to me, and his Arm round her
-Waist. I closed the Door so softly that
-they did not know it had been opened,
-and went Home. A Pang shot through
-my Heart. It was entirely on their own
-Accounts, for I had ceased, for Years, to
-have Anything but a most sisterly Concern
-in him; and his Character, compared
-with those of the People I had
-most loved, failed to stand the Test: but
-I thought this was too quick, too sudden,
-to be quite comely or decent; there was
-too much Passion, too little Self-respect.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I now made up my Mind without any
-more Hesitation, that I would go into the
-Country. I gave my parting Directions
-to <i>Dolly</i>, and desired her to let <i>Mark</i>
-have Things comfortable. Then I made
-up my little Travelling-equipage, not
-forgetting my Commissions. Being in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>fresh, well-made Mourning, there was
-no Trouble or Anxiety about Dress. I
-quite enjoyed the pleasing Bustle of Preparation,
-though I did not expect to be
-absent longer than a Week.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><i>Mark</i> was not very punctual to the
-Supper-hour; and as he said Nothing of
-his Visit over the Way, I was to conclude
-him all Day at my <i>Lord Mayor’s</i> or in
-<i>Cheapside</i>. But the deep Carmine of his
-Cheek and the burning Light of his Eye,
-told Tales. I asked him if he had dined.
-He carelessly replied yes, with a Friend.
-I asked him if he had seen the <i>Lord
-Mayor</i>. He said yes, it had been a more
-troublesome Business than he expected:
-they had asked him so many searching
-Questions, and had got the whole Story
-out of him. He feared he had cut a
-sorry Figure. At any Rate, he had in his
-own Sight. Then I asked him whether
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>he had got back his House. He said yes,
-and had put an old Woman into it, who
-had undertaken to fumigate it. Everything
-seemed sealed up, but he could not
-help fearing many Things were gone.
-The old Place looked so dismal, he came
-away as soon as he could.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>After a Pause, he said, “<i>Cherry</i>, I feel
-a strong Inclination to get rid of that
-Concern altogether. The Situation is
-capital, and I shall get Something for
-the Business; but I have a great Mind
-to set up somewhere else; and though
-your Father’s was a much smaller Business
-than ours, yet my happiest Hours
-have been passed under this Roof; and
-if you like to give up the Shop to me,
-I will give for it whatever I get for my
-own. And you can still live with us....
-I mean, we can still live here together.
-What say you, <i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>I said, “Dear <i>Mark</i>, I have no Wish
-to receive for these Premises what you
-get for your own. The Shop you are
-welcome to; the Business you will
-have to remake for yourself, for it has
-dwindled quite away; I shall be very
-glad to continue to live with you as
-long as you like to have me.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“We ... I shall <i>always</i> like to have
-you, <i>Cherry</i>,” said he, “for there is
-only one Person dearer to me in the
-whole World.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“My Father has left me so comfortably
-provided,” said I, “that I
-shall never need to be a Burthen on
-any one.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I am glad of it for your own Sake,”
-returned he; “but, as to my taking up
-the Business without paying for it, that
-is not to be thought of. Whatever I
-get for mine, you shall have for yours.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>“So let it stand at present, at any
-Rate,” said I. “Henceforth, the Shop
-is yours. And, <i>Mark</i>, you will have
-the whole House to yourself to-morrow,
-for I am going into the
-Country.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Where?” said he, opening his Eyes
-very wide.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“To <i>Bucklands Hall</i>, in <i>Berkshire</i>; to
-stay with Master ... with Squire and
-Mistress <i>Blower</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>A broad Smile spread over his Face.
-“I am very glad indeed to hear of it,
-<i>Cherry</i>,” said he.—“<i>Very</i> glad of it.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Afterwards, as we sat chatting over
-our Supper, we got on the Subject of
-Ghosts. He asked me if I believed in
-them. I said no.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, I do,” said he, sighing. And
-told me of a Story he had had from
-the Servant of Sir <i>Richard Hart</i>, who,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>travelling with his Master, had been
-summoned by him early one Morning,
-and charged to ride Home with all
-Speed, a Distance of seventeen Miles, and
-see how fared his Daughter, whom he
-conceited to have seen in the Night,
-standing at his Bed-foot, with her Hand
-pressed to her Head. The Man rode
-back as he was told; and returned with
-the News that the young Lady had
-indeed been taken ill about four o’Clock
-that Morning, but had had a Doctor
-with her, and was now pretty well
-again. However, in the Course of the
-Day she died.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Her Father, in a Dream, may
-have had so strong an Impression he
-was waking, that to him it had all the
-Effect of being awake.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“But such a Dream as should so raise
-the Dead, or pre-figure their Death,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span><i>Cherry</i>,” said <i>Mark</i>, “would be as bad
-as if they <i>were</i> raised—to <i>us</i>.... I
-think I, for one, could not stand it.”
-And I saw then why he was afraid to
-return to his own House.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>We talked the Matter quietly over
-for some Time; and I asked him why,
-if the Course taken by Divine Providence
-in the Administration of human Affairs
-ever admitted of the Re-appearance of
-the Dead, the recorded Cases of such
-supposed Appearances should only be to
-frighten some timid Person, restore a Bag
-of Gold, or acquaint some one with what
-they would otherwise know a few Hours
-after. This appeared to strike him; but he
-said it might be for the Sake of Warning.
-I said, If for Warning, why not for Comfort?
-How glad should I have been, for
-Instance, to be informed supernaturally
-that all was well with my Father? He
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>said, not <i>that</i> Way, surely. I replied yes,
-that Way or any Way that it had pleased
-the <span class='sc'>Almighty</span> to vouchsafe me such
-Knowledge. I should not be afraid (and
-there was an Intensity of Earnestness in
-me as I said it) to see either him or
-my Mother, either in or out of the
-Body.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” muttered he, half under his
-Breath, “I wish I could feel as much
-with regard to my Wife.” And, regarding
-me with some Earnestness,
-added, “You’re a bold little Thing,
-<i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>As I wished him Good-night, he
-stayed me for a Moment, and said, with
-all his old Frankness and Trust, “<i>Violet</i>
-and I have made Things out between
-us, <i>Cherry</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said fervently, “Then, may you both
-be happy. My Belief is, that she is
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>likelier to make you happy now, than
-she was before.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Not quite so pretty, though,” said
-he, rather regretfully. “However, I
-don’t mind that.—For, you see, <i>Cherry,
-I love her</i>!”</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i242.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>
-  <h2 id='ch14' class='c007'>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>Riding a Pillion</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-d.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-DOLLY and I had spent great
-Part of the Afternoon in
-brushing up and cleaning
-an old black riding Skirt of
-my Mother’s, which it was
-a Wonder I had not cut up into Garments
-for the Poor. When we had cleaned it
-with Hollands, and ironed it nicely, it
-looked very well; for our House was so
-airy, that our Clothes never had the
-Moth.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Precisely at the Hour named, an old
-Man in purple Livery rode up to the
-Door, on a grey Horse with a Pillion.
-<i>Mark</i>, who was very lively this Morning,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>told me he thought the Horse looked
-like a Bolter; but I knew he was only
-laughing at me. Then he asked me
-how I meant to mount; I said, with a
-Chair, to be sure. He said, “Nonsense!”
-and lifted me up in a Moment, and
-arranged my Riding-skirt as nicely as if
-he had been a Lady’s Groom. Then he
-told the old Man to be careful of me;
-but the old Coachman proved to be both
-dull and deaf, by reason of great Age;
-so <i>Mark</i> whispered me that he was not
-afraid of his running away with me, if
-the Horse did not; finishing with “Good-bye,
-<i>Mistress Blower</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I gave him an indignant Look, and
-said, “For shame, <i>Mark</i>! I have not
-deserved that!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” said he, “<i>I</i> think you <i>have</i>.”
-And just then the old Man jerked the
-Rein of the old Horse, which moved off
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>so suddenly, that I was fain to catch hold
-of the old Man’s Coat; and the last
-Glance I had of <i>Mark</i> was a merry one.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At first I felt a little bit frightened;
-but soon got used to my new Position;
-especially as the Horse walked till we
-were off the Stones. Still we seemed a
-long while getting out of <i>London</i>; and
-we met a great many People returning
-to it, in Carts, Waggons, and Coaches.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At length we got quite out of Town,
-and between green Hedges, with Trees
-beyond them that were turning all manner
-of Colours; with only a House here
-and there, or a Wayside Inn. At one
-of the latter we stopped in the middle
-of the Day, to rest the Horse, and take
-some Refreshment. Then we continued
-our Journey, which lasted till Sunset,
-and the latter Part of which was mighty
-pleasant and delightsome; only I was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>beginning to be a little weary with so
-much shaking. But, when I saw how
-charming a Place the Country was, I
-wondered how People could live in
-Towns ... unless on a Bridge.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>At length we turned off the Highway
-into a Bye-road, shaded with tall Trees,
-which, after a Mile or two, brought us
-to a straggling Village; and, says the
-Coachman, “Mistress, now we’s in <i>Bucklands</i>.”
-Presently we passed the absolutest
-curiosity of a little old Church!...
-it seemed hardly bigger than a
-Nutmeg-grater!—and hard by it, the
-old Parsonage, with three Stone Peaks
-in front, and a great Pear-Tree before
-the Door.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Then we came to a Village Green,
-with a Clump of large Trees in the
-Midst, that had Seats round them, whereon
-sat old Men, while young Men played
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>Cricket, and little Boys were setting a
-Puppy to bark at some white Geese.
-Here we came to a great Iron Gate,
-at which stood a hale, hearty-looking
-Gentleman about fifty; square-built, and
-not over-tall; with a good-humoured,
-red, mottled Face. And, says he, coming
-up to me, as we stopped, “Mistress
-<i>Cherry</i>, I’m Squire <i>Blower</i>. I can guess
-who you are, though my Brother did
-not tell me you were such a pretty
-Girl.—Oh, the Sinner!” And lifted
-me off the Horse.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” says he, “you don’t look quite
-sure that I’s I.... I <i>am</i>, though!
-Certainly, not much like <i>Nat</i>, who was
-always the Beauty of the Family. Ah!
-now you laugh, which was just what I
-wanted. My Brother said your silver
-Laugh saved his Life;—do you know
-what he meant by that?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>We were now walking up a strait
-gravel Walk, between clipped Hedges,
-to an old red-brick House, with stone
-Facings. “I suppose, Sir,” said I, after
-thinking a little, “he meant that my
-laughing was as good as Silver to him,
-because it saved him the Doctor.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That was it, no doubt,” returns he;
-“just such an Answer, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>,
-as I expected. I see we shall get on
-very well together, though <i>Nat</i> is not
-here to help the Acquaintance.—He
-has gone to see his old Foster-mother,
-who is dying. People <i>will</i> die, you
-know, when they get to eighty or
-ninety.”</p>
-
-<div id='i248'  class='figcenter id019'>
-<img src='images/i248.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>An old red-brick House</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>We were now going up a Flight of
-shallow Steps, with Stone Ballusters,
-which led us into a Hall, paved with
-great Diamonds of black and white
-Marble, and hung about with Guns,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>Fishing-rods, and Stag’s Horns. An
-Almanack and King <i>Charles’s</i> golden
-Rules were pasted against the Wall; and
-a stuffed Otter in a Glass Case hung over
-the great Fire-place, where a Wood-fire
-burned on the Hearth.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Before this Wood-fire was spread a
-small <i>Turkey</i> Carpet; and on the Carpet
-stood a Table and four heavy Chairs; in
-one of which sat an old Lady knitting.
-The Squire bluntly accosted her with
-“Mother, here’s Mistress <i>Cherry</i>;” on
-which she said, “Ho!”—laid down her
-Knitting, and looked hard at me; first
-over, and then through her Spectacles.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Hum!” says she, “Mistress <i>Cherry</i>,
-you are welcome. A good Day to you.
-Pray make yourself at Home, and be
-seated.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I sat down over against her, and we
-looked at each other very stiff. She was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>short and fat, with round blue Eyes, and
-a rosy Complexion; and had a sharper,
-shrewder Look than the Squire.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I dare say she’s hungry, Mother,”
-says the Squire; “give her a Piece of
-Gingerbread or Something.—How soon
-shall we have Supper?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You are always in such a Hurry,
-Father, to be eating;” says his Lady.
-“Forsooth, are we not to wait for your
-Brother?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And without waiting for his Answer,
-she took a bunch of Keys from her
-Apron-string, and unlocked a little Corner-cupboard,
-from which she brought me a
-Slice of rich Seed-cake, and a large Glass
-of Wine.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank you, Madam; I am not
-hungry,” said I.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Pooh! Child, you must be;” returns
-she, rather authoritatively. “Never
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>be afraid of eating and drinking before
-Company, as if it were a Crime!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So, thus admonished, I ate and drank:
-though I would as lief have waited a
-little.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Are you stiff with your Ride?” says
-she.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“A little, Madam,” said I; “for I was
-ne’er on a Horse before.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Is it possible,” cries she, bursting out
-a-laughing. “Father, did you hear that?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Famous!” said he; and they eyed
-me as if I were a Curiosity.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Do you know, now,” says the Squire’s
-Lady to me, after a while, “I never was
-in <i>Lunnon</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That seems as strange to me, Madam,”
-said I, “as it seems to you that I should
-never have been on Horseback.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It <i>is</i> strange,” says she. “Both are
-strange.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>“And now <i>I’ll</i> tell you Something
-that is strange,” says the Squire, “since
-we all seem surprising one another.
-Do you know, Mistress <i>Cherry</i>,” stepping
-up behind his Wife, and laying a
-Hand on each of her Shoulders, while
-he spoke to me over her Head, “that
-this little round-about Woman was
-once as pretty a Girl as you are?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Stuff! Squire,” says his Lady.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Fact!” persisted he. “Nay, prettier!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Not a Word of Truth in it,” says
-she, shaking him off. “I was all very
-well,—nothing more. Come, Father,
-here’s <i>Gatty</i> going to spread the Cloth
-for Supper, which you’ll be glad of.
-But, <i>Gatty</i>, in the first Place shew
-Mistress <i>Cherry</i> to her Chamber, ...
-she will perhaps like to dress a little.
-You’ll excuse my attending you, my
-Dear; the Stairs try my Breath.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>I followed <i>Gatty</i> up Stairs to the prettiest
-Room that ever was! When I
-came down, the Cloth was spread, and
-the Squire’s Lady signed me to the Chair
-over against her, and was just going to
-say Something, when, crossing between
-me and the Sun, I saw the Shadow of a
-Man against the Wall, and knew it for
-Master <i>Blower’s</i>. Ah! what came over
-me at that Moment, to make me so
-stupid, I know not.—Perhaps that saucy
-Saying of <i>Mark’s</i> ... but whatever it
-was, instead of my going up to Master
-<i>Blower</i>, when he came in, which he
-did the next Moment, and asking him
-simply and straitforwardly how he was,
-I must needs colour all over like a
-Goose, and wait till he came quite up
-to me, without having a Word to say
-for myself.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, <i>Cherry</i>!” says he, taking my
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>Hand quite frankly, “how glad I am to
-see you! Are you quite well?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And, the Moment I heard his pleasant
-Voice, I was quite comfortable again,
-and felt myself at Home for the first
-Time.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Quite, thank you, Sir,” said I, “and
-I hope you are better than you were.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, now that civil Things have
-passed on both Sides,” said the Squire,
-who had already seated himself, “come
-and say Grace, <i>Nat</i>, for here’s a
-Couple of beautiful Fowls getting
-cold.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—Well, the Supper was as pleasant as
-could be, and it was growing quite dusk
-before the Table was cleared, yet the
-Squire would not hear of having Candles;
-so then his Lady desired <i>Gatty</i> to carry
-Lights into the green Parlour, “Where,”
-says she, “I and this young Person will
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>retire, and be good enough Company
-for each other, I dare say.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Oh, I’m a young Person, am I?
-thought I. So I followed her into the
-green Parlour, where she settled herself
-in an easy Chair, with her Feet on a
-Footstool, and made me sit facing her.
-“Now,” says she, “the Men can prose
-by themselves, and we’ll have a Coze
-by <i>our</i>selves. Pray, Child, how was
-it you came to think of nursing my
-Brother?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I began to tell her how I went to
-him in Hope of his telling me how to
-find my Father; but then, she wanted to
-know how my Father came to be missing,
-so I had to go further back. And
-then I could not help putting in by the
-Way how good and excellent a Man he
-was, how tender a Father, how loving a
-Husband, which brought in my Mother.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>But I checked myself, and begged the
-Lady’s Pardon for entering on that, which
-I knew could no Ways interest her.—“Nay,
-let me hear it all,” says she, “I
-shall like to hear Something about your
-Mother.” So then I told her of her
-holy Life, and saintlike End; and of
-Master <i>Blower’s</i> invaluable Ministrations,
-which of course interested her a good
-deal; and indeed I saw a Tear steal
-down her Cheek, while I kept mine
-down as well as I could. Then I went
-on to the Plague, and my Father’s Heaviness
-of Spirits; and his going forth and
-never coming back, and my going in
-quest of him, and all the Events of that
-terrible Day, which I could not go over
-without crying very heartily. She wept
-too; yet cried, “Go on, go on!” So
-then I got to Master <i>Blower</i>, and the
-sleeping Watchman, and my getting into
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>the House, and going from Room to
-Room, and hearing him yawn,—which
-made her laugh; though she cried again
-when she heard of his praying, and of
-his Sufferings that fearful Night and
-many Days after. At the End of all, she
-got up, put her Arms about my Neck,
-and kissed me. “<i>Cherry</i>,” says she,
-“you’re an excellent Creature!”—Just
-then, a great Bell began to ring,—“That’s
-the Prayer-bell!” says she.
-“We will return to the Hall, my
-Dear.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So we returned to the Hall, much more
-at our Ease together than when we left
-it. And there, standing in a Row, were
-half a Dozen Men and Women Servants,
-and the Table had Candles and a large
-Bible on it. Master <i>Blower</i> read, and
-then prayed: had I not been so tired,
-I could have wished him to go on all
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>Night! Then we dispersed to our several
-Chambers; and I had so much to think
-about that it seemed as though I should
-never get to sleep: however, I did at
-last.</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id007'>
-<img src='images/i258.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>
-  <h2 id='ch15' class='c007'>CHAPTER XV</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>The Squire’s Garden</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-b.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-BEFORE I went to Bed, I
-peeped out of my Window,
-and saw the full Moon
-shining over the broad
-gravel Walks and Fishponds;
-and I thought how much I should
-like to go round the Garden before Breakfast.
-However, when I woke in the
-Morning, I feared I had been oversleeping
-myself, so dressed in a great Hurry,
-and went down Stairs. There I found
-two Maids flooding the great Hall with
-Pails of Water, and they told me we were
-to breakfast in the green Parlour, but not
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>for an Hour yet. So I strayed out into
-the Garden, where were still a good many
-Flowers, though the Season was so late,
-backed by Evergreen Hedges, and Rows
-of tall Trees that were turning yellow
-and scarlet; and it seemed to me just like
-the Garden of <i>Eden</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I went on and on, thinking it
-mighty pleasant, and wondering what
-might be the Names of some of the
-Flowers; and at length I came to a
-Bowling-green, of wonderful fine Turf,
-between high Horn-beam Hedges; and
-having a Sun-dial at one End, and a little
-brick Summer-house faced with Stone at
-the other. Into the Summer-house I
-went; and there, with all his Books and
-Papers about him, sat Master <i>Blower</i>
-writing.</p>
-
-<div id='i260'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i260.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>A Bowling-Green of wonderful Fine Turf.</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Ah, <i>Cherry</i>!” says he, holding out
-his Hand, “so you’ve found out my Snuggery!
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>Have they sent you to summon
-me to Breakfast?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No, Sir,” said I, “I did not know
-you were here.” And turned away.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Stop a Minute,” says he, hastily putting
-up his Papers, “and we will take a
-Turn together round this wonderful
-Garden. The Garden of your <i>Dream,
-Cherry</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said how very odd it was I should
-have dreamed about it,—the Garden of
-my Dream being so exactly like the
-Reality.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, you simple Girl,” says he,
-laughing; “because I must have described
-it to you before, though you
-and I had forgotten it!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I felt quite sure in my own Mind that
-he had not.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” says he, setting out with me
-along the Bowling-green, “what’s the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>News, <i>Cherry</i>? The Plague, you say,
-is abating, but not gone. Have you
-seen or heard Anything of my poor
-People?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said yes. Mistress <i>Peach</i> had come
-to me on my sending for her the Evening
-before I left; and had told me
-how Things were going on.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“And how <i>are</i> they going on?”
-said he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, Sir, it would be a poor Compliment
-to you, if they were going
-on as well in your Absence, as in your
-Presence.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“That’s true,” says he, looking grave;
-“but, for Particulars.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Many Persons in Trouble of one kind
-or another, knock at your Door; and
-when they find they cannot see you, go
-away in Tears.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Poor Souls!” said he, much moved,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>“I will return to them shortly. I think
-I am almost well enough now, <i>Cherry</i>.
-They think I am neglecting them?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No, Sir, they are very sorry you
-need recruiting; but they are sorry for
-themselves too.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“It’s a very nice Point,” says he musingly,
-“when we ought to lie by. I
-believe, had I not left Town when I
-did, I might have been dead now—and
-yet, perhaps I was like a Soldier
-deserting his Post.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “No, Sir, you were liker to a
-Soldier carried off the Battlefield to
-the Hospital.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank you, <i>Cherry</i>,” says he, taking
-my Hand and drawing it under his Arm.
-We had now reached the End of the
-Bowling-green; but instead of turning
-into the Garden, we continued walking
-up and down.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>“And what else?” says he. “Come,
-let me hear all.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, Sir,” said I, “there’s not much
-more to tell——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Something, though, I can see!” said
-he. “Come! out with it, <i>Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Sir,” said I, “it’s of no Use for us to
-trouble and vex ourselves about what
-wicked People will say of us in mere
-wantonness.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Sometimes, though, we may hear the
-Truth from an Enemy,” says he. “And
-what do wicked, wanton People say
-of me?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why, Sir,—some very evil-minded,
-malapert Person hath writ on your
-Church-door, ‘A Pulpit to Let!’”</p>
-
-<div id='i264'  class='figcenter id012'>
-<img src='images/i264.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>The Squire’s Garden</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>“The Rascal!” said he hastily, and
-colouring very red. “Why now, did I
-not keep on, Sabbaths and Week-days,
-till the Plague-swellings were actually
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>in my Throat, though my Congregation
-often consisted of only two or
-three old Women? Is not this enough
-to provoke a Man, <i>Cherry</i>?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Yes, Sir,—only there’s no
-Use in being provoked.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“None, none,” says he, much perturbed,—“<span class='sc'>God</span>
-forgive me for it!—I can hardly
-have Patience, though, with them.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Dear Sir, you must have
-Nothing <i>but</i> Patience with them.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You are right, you are right,” says
-he, cooling, but still much moved. “Ill
-or well, I must go back to them forthwith....
-The Fact is, there is a Matter
-I would gladly have settled here, a little
-at my Leisure.—But, Duty before all!
-So, I’ll go back, <i>Cherry</i>, to mine.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I smiled a little as I said, “Somebody
-has been doing Duty for you, the last
-Week or ten Days, Sir.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>“Who?” cried he.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “An Independent Minister.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>A complex Kind of Expression crossed
-his Face; for a Moment he looked
-pained and provoked, and then burst
-out a-laughing.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>God</span> bless the worthy Fellow!” cries
-he, “I’ll do him a good Turn if I can, the
-first Time he’ll let me! ‘The good
-<span class='sc'>Lord</span> accept every one that prepareth
-his Heart to seek <span class='sc'>God</span>, the <span class='sc'>Lord God</span>
-of his Fathers, even though he be not
-cleansed according to the Purification
-of the Sanctuary!’—Well, <i>Cherry</i>, I
-must go! and that forthwith,—I would
-fain have tarried here while your Visit
-lasted.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I looked quite blank at the Idea of
-being left behind; and said, “Must I,
-then, stay?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Why,” cried he, “what is to prevent
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>you? Your Visit is not to <i>me,
-Cherry</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Oh, Sir, but ...” and
-stopped, for I did not know whether it
-were right to say I should feel so lonely
-without him. But the Tears came into
-my Eyes.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“I hope,” says he, in his kindest Way,
-“you will stay and have a very pleasant
-Visit.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “It won’t,—it can’t be pleasant
-now.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” he said, yet more affectionately,
-“we shall soon meet again....
-You shake your Head.—Well, our Lives
-are not in our own keeping, certainly,
-and may be called in the next Minute,
-here as well as in <i>London</i>. And I should
-not like to die away from my Post. But,
-<i>Cherry</i>, since you are inexpressibly dear
-to me, and I think I am, in a less Degree,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>dear to you, why, when we meet next,
-should we ever part again?—Nay, hear
-me, <i>Cherry</i>! for I have long meant to
-say this, though not quite so soon....
-I thought it would seem so abrupt;
-I wanted to bring you to it by Degrees,
-lest I should get an Answer I
-did not like. For, indeed, <i>Cherry</i>, I
-know how much too old I am for
-you, how thoroughly unworthy of
-you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I could not stand this, and cried, “Oh,
-how <i>can</i> you say such Things, Sir!
-Unworthy of <i>me</i>, indeed! when any
-Woman——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Might be proud to have you, was my
-Thought, but I did not say it.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“<i>Cherry</i>,” says he, “there was never——”
-And just at that Moment a
-Man shouted, “High!” at the Top of his
-Voice, and then, “Breakfast!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>“We’re keeping them waiting,” said
-I, slipping my Hand from his Arm,
-“and you’ve left your Papers all blowing
-about in the Summer-house.” And
-so, ran off to the House.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Fain would I not have gone straight to
-Breakfast, but there was no Help for it;
-and the Squire kept loading my Plate,
-and yet saying I ate Nothing. He and
-his Lady were wondrous sorry to hear
-Master <i>Blower</i> say he must return to
-Town the next Day; and looked rather
-askance at me for having brought down
-any Tidings that should summon him
-thither. After Breakfast, however, he
-took his Brother aside to explain to him
-how needful was his Return to his Parish;
-and Mistress <i>Blower</i>, bringing forth an
-immense Quantity of Patchwork of very
-intricate Contrivance, said, “Now, you
-and I will do a good Morning’s Work:”—and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>told me it was a Fancy of hers
-to furnish a little Bed-chamber with
-Patchery, lined with Pink, and fringed
-with White. However, Master <i>Blower</i>
-put a Check to all this, as far as my Help
-went, by coming in and saying that as
-this was to be his last Day in the Country,
-he wanted to take a long Walk with
-me, and shew me the finest View in
-the County. Mistress <i>Blower</i> made one
-or two Objections, which he summarily
-over-ruled; so, in a very few Minutes,
-off we were walking together. And first,
-without any Reference to what had been
-said before Breakfast, he took me round
-the Village Green, and into the Church
-and Churchyard; and made me look over
-the Parsonage Gate. I said, “Dear me,
-if I were you, Sir, how much sooner I
-would be Parson here than in <i>Whitechapel</i>!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>“Would you?” cries he. “Oh, but
-this is a very poor Living!”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “I did not know you cared
-much for Money.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” he said, “not to spend on
-myself, but as a Means of Usefulness.
-And, oh <i>Cherry</i>! there is so much
-Wretchedness in <i>London</i>, that one cannot,
-after all, relieve!—I’ll tell you
-what I do,” continues he, turning down
-a green Lane with me, “as a general
-Rule I give away half. That was
-<i>Zaccheus’</i> Measure, you know. But, as
-a single Man, I have found the other
-Half a great deal too much for me, so
-I give away all I can of it in Casualties
-... just to please myself, as it were.
-But I don’t consider this Sub-division
-imperative; therefore, when you and
-I commence Housekeeping together,
-which I hope will be in a <i>very</i> little
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>While, we will spend the full Half.
-Will that suffice you?”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“No indeed, Sir,” said I, “I shall be
-very sorry indeed if I add to your
-Expenses so much as that. I would
-rather give the Poor another Mouthful
-than deprive them of one; and as I
-shall only cost you just what I eat and
-wear, I hope it won’t make much
-Difference.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“You’re a comical Girl,” says he.
-“But, <i>Cherry</i>, I’m sorry to say, that
-rambling old House of mine is now
-so completely out of Repair, as to be
-unfit for a Lady’s Occupation. We
-must paint it and point it, and mend
-the Roof.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well, but,” said I, “my Father has
-left me six hundred Pounds, which will
-do all that very well.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Six hundred Pounds!” says he, opening
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>his Eyes very wide, and then laughing.
-“Why, you’ve a Fortune, <i>Cherry</i>! How
-could the dear, good Man have saved
-it? I thought his Business seemed
-quite dwindled away.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“He had some Money with my
-Mother, Sir,” said I. “And an Uncle
-left him a Legacy. Besides this
-Money, which Master <i>Benskin</i> and
-Master <i>Braidfoot</i> pay Interest for, the
-House is mine for a long Term; and
-<i>Mark</i> means to buy the Business; so
-that I hope I shall not be very expensive
-to you.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Well,” says he, “it will be for After-consideration
-whether we repair the
-Parsonage at once or not. All shall
-be as you wish it, <i>Cherry</i>.” And then
-we went on talking of this and that till
-we came to a Seat under a Tree; and
-there we sat and talked all the Rest of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>the Morning; for he did not care much
-for going on to see the Prospect.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>After Dinner, it became Master <i>Blower’s</i>
-Object to persuade me to name a very
-early Day indeed—even that Day Week;
-and, though I could hardly endure to
-think of so sudden a Change, and thought
-it would seem so strange and so unwomanly
-to Everybody, yet the main
-Thing that wrought upon me was what
-I kept to myself; namely, the Danger
-he was going to incur in returning to
-his Duties before the Infection was over.
-And I thought how I should reproach
-myself if he fell ill, and died for want
-of my Nursing. But then, again, it
-would seem so outrageous to the Squire
-and his Lady.... Not at all, he said,
-they knew all about his wanting to
-marry me before ever they sent for me,
-and the Squire’s Lady had at first been
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>very cool about it; but before we parted
-at Night, I had quite won her over;
-and she said to him when the Door
-closed upon me, “Well, <i>Nat</i>, you may
-marry that Girl as soon as you like.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I could hardly help laughing.—What
-was I to do? I said, oh, very well, I supposed
-they must all have their own Way,—I
-would try to be not very miserable
-about it. So, when we went in to Supper,
-Master <i>Blower</i> made no Secret of what
-we had been talking about; and Mistress
-<i>Blower</i> kissed me, and so did the Squire,
-and we had a wonderful pleasant Supper.
-When Master <i>Blower</i> was taking leave of
-me, he asked me if I had any Message to
-send Home. It then struck me I must
-send Word to <i>Mark</i> and <i>Dolly</i> how soon
-my Condition was going to be changed,—but,
-what could I say?—I had scarce
-written a Letter in my Life; least of all
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>to <i>Mark</i>; and could not for the Life of
-me think of any Way of telling him the
-News, sufficiently round-about to prevent
-its seeming abrupt after all. So, thought
-I, least said, soonest mended: and, sitting
-down to Pen, Ink, and Paper, I wrote in
-my smallest, neatest Hand,—</p>
-
-<p class='c017'>“Dear <i>Mark</i>,</p>
-<p class='c021'>“I’m going to be Mistress <i>Blower</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c012'>And sealed it up and directed it. Master
-<i>Blower</i> said, “Short, if not sweet!” and
-promised it should be faithfully delivered.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When he was gone, the Patchwork
-was put away, and the Wedding-dresses
-sent for. Dear Mistress <i>Blower</i> was as
-kind as a Mother to me, though her
-Husband was only five Years older than
-mine. Indeed she and the Squire looked
-upon me quite as a Girl, though I told
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>them over and over again I was not.
-Though they called each other Father
-and Mother, they had never had but one
-Child, which died at three Years old;
-but I suppose it was always in their
-Thoughts.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>What a happy Week that was!—though
-Master <i>Blower</i> was away. On
-the Whole, his Absence was a good
-Thing: it gave me Time to steady a
-little, and feel that it was not a Dream
-that I was going to live always within
-the Sound of his dear Voice. And, as
-there was much Sewing to do, I had
-Plenty of Time to think of it. Mistress
-<i>Blower</i> gave me my Wedding-clothes,—we
-had Post-horses to the old Coach, and
-went to buy them at the County Town.
-The Gown was white Silk; the Hat
-trimmed with a Wreath of very little
-pink Roses round the Crown; and I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>had a cherry-colour Habit for travelling.
-Master <i>Blower</i> said he did not deserve
-such a pretty Bride,—but that was his
-kind Way of speaking. I only wish I
-were better worth his having!</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>—We went away from the Church-door,—as
-happy a Bridegroom and Bride
-as ever rode a Pillion. When we had
-got out of Everybody’s Sight, my Husband
-said, “How are you getting on,
-Mistress <i>Blower</i>?” I said, “I am
-smiling so that I am quite glad there’s
-Nobody to see me.” “May the Rest
-of your Life be all Smiles and no Tears,
-<i>Cherry</i>,” says he,—“with <span class='sc'>God’s</span> Blessing,
-it shall be so if I can make it so!”
-“Ah!” said I, “I’m content to take the
-Rough and the Smooth together, since
-I shall henceforth share them with you,
-Sir.” “Dearest <i>Cherry</i>,” says he, “you
-really must leave off calling me <i>Sir</i>!”</p>
-
-<div id='i279'  class='figcenter id020'>
-<img src='images/i279.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>“I don’t know that I can, Sir,” said I,
-“but I’ll try.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Though the Journey was delightsome,
-yet towards the latter End of it, every
-Mile of the Road became less and less
-pleasant, till at length we got into the
-Tide of People, on Horse and on Foot,
-setting in towards <i>London</i>. Then, how
-strange it seemed to me that I was not
-going back to the Bridge! where I had
-lived all the Days of my Life till within
-the last Week! I began to tremble a
-little; and the Idea of the great old
-roomy, gloomy House in <i>Whitechapel</i>,
-with no bright, sparkling Water to look
-out upon, became rather oppressive to
-me, till I thought how Master <i>Blower’s</i>
-continual Presence would light it up.
-The Streets now becoming thronged, he
-pressed my Arm tighter to him and bade
-me hold on close; and I felt he was all
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>the World to me, be the House what
-it would. But when we reached it,
-what a Difference! The whole Front
-had a fresh Coat of Paint, which made
-it wondrous lightsome and cheerful; the
-Door-step was fresh whitened, the Door
-fresh varnished, the Knocker fresh
-polished, and Mistress <i>Peach</i> standing
-on the Step with a new Cap plaited
-close round her sweet, pleasant Face,
-and dressed in a new grass-green Gown.
-I could not help kissing her as I ran in;
-she said, “<span class='sc'>God</span> bless you, Mistress!”
-with hearty Cordiality, and followed me
-from Room to Room. Everything had
-been cleaned up, and she told me, laughing,
-that though she had had Plenty of
-Helps, it had been the hardest Week’s
-Work she had ever had in her Life.
-The old green Bed-furniture had given
-Place to new white Dimity; there was
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>a Lady’s Pincushion on the Toilette, with
-“May you be happy!” in minikin Pins;
-and a Beau-pot of Flowers on the Window-seat.
-“All that is Mistress <i>Violet’s</i>
-doing,” said <i>Dorcas</i>; “she has not left
-the House half an Hour, I assure you,
-and her Needle went in and out as fast
-as could be when she was finishing the
-last Muslin Blind. Oh, she has been
-very busy, has Mistress <i>Violet</i>! ’Twas
-she set out the Supper Table with the
-Flowers, and Sweet-meats, and Pound-cake.”</p>
-<div  class='figcenter id021'>
-<img src='images/i283.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c001' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>
-  <h2 id='ch16' class='c007'>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c015'>
-    <div><i>The Burning City</i></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='c016'>
-  <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc-n.jpg' width='125' height='125' alt='' />
-</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'>
-NEXT Day, the Holiday of
-Life was over, its Duties
-re-commenced. Master
-<i>Blower</i> had an Accumulation
-of Business to attend
-to, and I had Plenty to do about the
-House. Before the End of the Week, I
-was immersed in Cares that were Pleasures
-to me, inasmuch as they lightened
-his own. But I could not resist paying
-a Visit to the Bridge, and spending an
-Hour in the dear old House, and another,
-afterwards, with <i>Violet</i>. She and <i>Mark</i>
-came to sup with us. I found they were
-not going to marry till six Months were
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>out, which was full quick, after all; but
-I was thankful they would wait so long.
-A Change seemed coming over <i>Mark</i>;
-he was steady, composed, attentive to
-Business, and far pleasanter, whether
-lively or sad, than in his earlier Days.
-As to <i>Violet</i>, she was infinitely softened,
-and the old Spirit of Coquetry seemed
-quite to have burned out. We did not
-see them often, but Master <i>Blower</i> always
-received them kindly, and they seemed
-to consider it a Privilege as well as a
-Pleasure to come to us.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>Thus, the Winter wore on: the Plague
-was stayed; and though it was common
-to meet in the Streets Men in their
-Nightcaps, limping, or with their Throats
-bound up, no one thought of getting out
-of their Way, for the Infection had spent
-itself. And Persons that were Strangers
-to each other might be heard exchanging
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>Congratulations on the improved State
-of Things, now that Houses and Shops
-were re-opening, the Weeds beginning
-to disappear from the Thoroughfares,
-and Men no longer walked along the
-Middle of the Streets, but on the Foot-pavements.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>My dear Husband endeavoured to impress
-the Hearts and Minds of his People,
-in Season and out of Season, with a Sense
-of the Mercy that had preserved them;
-but, I am sorry to say, with very little
-permanent Effect. True it is, at first
-the Ground was broken up, and the Clods
-were soft, and the good Seed that was
-cast in seemed likely to fructify; but
-alas, the hot Sun of worldly Temptation
-soon hardened the Ground and burnt the
-Seed up, and People that had almost
-miraculously escaped the general Judgment,
-seemed little better than they
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>were before. This depressed my dear
-Husband very much; but, instead of
-relaxing his Efforts, he only redoubled
-them; and he said I strengthened his
-Hands.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>There was also a great deal of Distress,
-owing to the general Stagnation of Trade,
-and the vast Numbers of People thrown
-out of Employ. So that, though we
-did all we could, it was heart-rending
-to witness the Misery in some of the
-lower Districts of our Parish. We
-pinched ourselves to help them, voluntarily
-giving up such and such Things
-at our Table; and this with such Cheerfulness
-that I really believe our Self-privations
-gave us more actual Enjoyment
-than if we had ate the Fat and
-drank the Sweet to our Hearts’ Desire.
-And once or twice it remarkably happened
-that when we had a little exceeded
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>in this Way, and had supplied thereby
-the needs of a more than ordinary Number,
-a great Hamper would arrive from
-Mistress <i>Blower</i>, full of Game, Poultry,
-Eggs, Butter, Brawn, Hams, Tongues,
-and Everything that was good. Often
-we talked over that sweet Place the
-Hampers came from; and it seemed to
-me that my Husband more and more
-inclined towards the Country; especially
-as his Throat had never quite recovered
-the Effects of the Plague, and he found
-he could not make himself heard throughout
-the remoter Parts of his large Church
-without Difficulty. Quite at the End
-of the Summer, the old Incumbent of
-<i>Bucklands</i> Parsonage died; and as the
-living was in the Squire’s Gift, and he
-had some Notion his Brother would like
-it, he wrote to offer it to him. My
-Husband asked my Mind about it; I
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>said I should like it of all Things, if he
-could be content with so small and quiet
-a Field of Action. He said, yes, the
-Time had been when it had been otherwise
-with him—the harder the Work
-the greater the Pleasure, especially as
-carrying some Sense of Glory in the
-Victory over it; but it was not so with
-him now: he could be content with
-trying to do good on a small Scale;
-especially as he had not been quite so
-successful on the larger Field of Action
-as he had hoped and expected.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Could I preach like <i>Apollos</i>,” continued
-he, “to what Good, to the Half
-of my Congregation, who cannot catch
-one Word in ten? So that, in Fact, I
-preach to a small Congregation already.
-And I’ve no Mind to receive the Pay
-without doing the Work. There’s no
-Fear, <i>Cherry</i>, of my not making myself
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>audible in <i>Bucklands</i> Church!—Besides,
-do you know I fancy I have a little
-domestic Mission there. My dear,
-good Brother, who has dozed under
-Doctor <i>Bray</i> for so many Years, has
-languished under a spiritual Dearth.
-He is now getting in Years, and I
-think I may do Something for him—you
-know he told you he thought my
-Sermons were <i>the real Thing</i>.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“He said,” replied I, “that you not
-only hit the right Nail on the Head,
-but hammered it well in.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>After some further Talk, which only
-went to prove how completely we were
-of a Mind on the Matter, the Letters
-were written and sent—to accept the one
-Living and resign the other. That was
-on the Second of <i>September</i>. The same
-Night, broke out that dreadful Fire,
-which lasted three Days and three
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>Nights, and destroyed fifteen of the
-twenty-six City Wards, including four
-hundred Streets and Lanes, and thirteen
-thousand Houses. Oh, what a dreadful
-Calamity! We were in Bed, a little
-after Ten, when Shrieks and Cries of
-“Fire!” awoke us; and my dear Husband
-put his Head forth of the Window
-and asked where it was. A Man running
-along answered, “On or at the Foot of
-<i>London Bridge</i>!” Then our Hearts
-failed us for <i>Violet</i> and <i>Mark</i>, and all our
-old Friends; and we dressed and went
-forth, for I could not be stayed from
-accompanying Master <i>Blower</i>. But before
-we could reach the Bridge Foot, we
-found Access to it cut off, both by Reason
-of the Crowd and of the Flames: the
-only Comfort was, that the Fire kept off
-the Bridge. There was so much Tumult
-and Pressure that we could only keep on
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>the Skirts of the Crowd, where we hung
-about without doing any Good for some
-Hours.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>The next Morning, we were in Hope
-of hearing the Fire had been got under;
-instead of which, the whole <i>Bankside</i> was
-wrapped in Flames, and all the Houses
-from the Bridge Foot, and all <i>Thames
-Street</i>, were lying in Ashes. The People
-seemed all at Pause, gazing on, without
-stirring Hand or Foot, and those that
-were personal Sufferers were venting their
-Grief in Cries and Lamentations. But
-we could not find that any Life had yet
-been lost; and the Fire kept off the
-Bridge.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>When I went Home at Dusk, it was
-to pray for the poor Sufferers, and then
-to muse how far the Calamity might
-extend. Supper was on Table, but I
-had no Mind to eat; which was all the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>better, as my Husband presently brought
-in a poor, weeping Family who had lost
-Everything, and had not touched a Morsel
-all Day. We gave them a good Meal,
-and Shelter for the Night. They slept,
-but we could not. There was no Need
-of Candles all that Night, which was as
-light as Day for ten Miles round. The
-Fire was now spreading all along the
-South Part of the City, leaping from
-House to House, and Street to Street, for
-the very Air seemed ignited; Showers of
-Sparks and Ashes were falling in every
-Direction, and the Pavement was growing
-almost too hot to tread upon. My
-Husband kept bringing in new Refugees
-as long as our House would hold them,
-and I was too busy caring for them to
-have Leisure to go forth, even had it
-been safe; but each New-comer brought
-fresh Tidings of the Desolation, which
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>was now extending to Churches, public
-Monuments, Hospitals, Companies’ Halls,
-as though it would carry all before it.
-We now began to be in some Alarm
-for ourselves; and to consider what we
-should do if it came our Way; and now
-we experienced the Convenience of having
-but little Treasure that Moth, Rust,
-or Fire could injure, for when Master
-<i>Blower</i> had made up a small Packet of
-Papers and ready Money that we could
-readily carry about us, there was Nothing
-left for the Destroyer to consume but our
-poor Furniture and the House over our
-Heads. Very opportunely, at this Time
-came to our Door a <i>Berkshire</i> Countryman
-with one of the good Squire’s
-Hampers full of Eatables. I never saw
-a poor Fellow look so scared! He got
-a good View of the Calamity from a Distance,
-and then set his Face homewards
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>in as great a Hurry as if the Flames
-were in Chase of him. The Streets were
-now full of Carts loaded with Moveables,
-which their Owners were conveying out
-of Town; giving Way to the Calamity
-rather than seeking to arrest it, which,
-indeed, it was now vain to attempt,
-though I think Something might have
-been done at first. <i>St. Paul’s</i> was now
-in a Blaze; the great Stones exploding
-with intense Heat, and the melted Lead
-running along the Gutters. This Night,
-also, we got scarce any Rest.</p>
-
-<div id='i294'  class='figcenter id003'>
-<img src='images/i294.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' />
-<div class='ic004'>
-<p><span class='small'>S<sup>t</sup> Paul’s was now in a Blaze</span></p>
-</div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c013'>The next Morning, while I was overlooking
-my Stores, and considering how I
-should best husband them for my poor Inmates,
-in comes <i>Mark</i>, his Face blackened,
-his Hair full of Ashes, his Clothes singed
-in many Places, and his Shoes nearly
-burnt off his Feet.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>“Thank <span class='sc'>God</span>, you are safe, then!”
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>cries he, catching hold of both my Hands.
-“The Sky looked so fiery in this Quarter
-during the Night, that <i>Violet</i> and I were
-in dreadful Fear for you, and I started
-at Daybreak, and came here by making
-a great Round, to see how it fared with
-you. And <i>Violet</i> bids me say that she
-has not forgotten your Father’s and
-Mother’s Kindness to her Father and
-Mother when they were burned out of
-House and Home, nor how she and you
-were put together in the same Cradle;
-and it will make her and me, dear
-<i>Cherry</i>, unspeakably happy to receive
-you and Master <i>Blower</i> under the very
-same Roof, should you be burnt out of
-your own.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>I said, “Dear <i>Mark</i>, that is so like
-you and <i>Violet</i>! Just the Kindness I
-should have expected! Believe me,
-we shall thankfully accept it, if there
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>be Need. But at present the Fire is
-all about us, yet comes not to us. We
-have made up our little Parcel of Treasures,
-(a little one, indeed, <i>Mark</i>!) and
-are ready to start at a Minute’s Notice,
-trusting to a good <span class='sc'>God</span> to spare our
-Lives. This old House, if it once
-catches, will burn like Tinder; meanwhile,
-come and see how many it
-holds.”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>So I led him from Room to Room,
-and shewed him Mothers nursing their
-Infants, Children eating Bread and
-Milk, and old People still sleeping
-heavily. He was greatly interested and
-impressed. “What a good Soul you
-are!” said he,—“I can give you no
-Notion of the Scenes of Misery on
-the Outskirts through which I passed
-on my Way here. People huddled in
-Tents, or lying under Hedges, or on
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>Heaps of Litter and broken Furniture,
-without a Morsel of Bread or a Cup
-of Milk, yet none begging!... I
-saw a few Bread-carts and Milk-people
-coming up to them as I passed along,
-but many had no Money, not even a
-Penny, to buy a Breakfast. I had
-filled my Purse, <i>Cherry</i>, with all that
-was in the Till, before I set out;
-but you see there’s not much in it
-now——”</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And he pulled out an empty Purse,
-with a Smile that showed he was well
-pleased with the Way its Contents had
-gone. Then we shook Hands heartily,
-and parted.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>To the loud Crackling of Flames and
-Crash of falling Buildings, was now
-added the blowing up of Houses with
-Gunpowder, which, indeed, made the
-Neighbourhood of them very dangerous
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>to Bystanders, but checked the Progress
-of the Fire. However, Nothing effectual
-could have been done, had it not
-pleased <span class='sc'>Almighty God</span> to stay his Judgment
-by abating the high Wind, which
-fell all at once; whereby the Flames
-ceased to spread, though the glowing
-Ruins continued to burn.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>The Crisis being now past, we ceased
-to be in Apprehension for ourselves, and
-devoted all our Attention to the poor,
-bereft People under our Care. Some
-of these were fetched away by their
-Country Friends; sooner or later all
-dispersed; and then we went out into
-the Fields adjoining the City, to afford
-what little Help we could. But oh!
-the Desolation! To attempt to assuage
-that Accumulation of Destitution by our
-trivial Means seemed like essaying to
-subdue the Fire with a Cup of Water:
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>yet we know that every Little helps;
-and that even a Cup of Water, to the
-thirsty Man who drinks it, quenches
-not his Thirst the less, that Thousands
-beside are parched with Drought. And
-thus, by Analogy, concerning the general
-Amount of human Suffering surrounding
-us at all Times, which the wife of
-a <i>Whitechapel</i> Parson is perhaps as well
-qualified to speak of as any one else—We
-need not be discouraged from aiding
-any, because we cannot succour all;
-since the Relief afforded is as grateful
-to him who has it, as though <i>all</i>
-were relieved, which it is not <span class='sc'>God’s</span>
-Will that any should have Power to
-accomplish.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>By the End of the Month this
-terrible Calamity was over-past; at least,
-as far as we had Anything to do with
-it, though we continued to give Shelter
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>to poor, ruined Householders as long
-as the Parsonage was our own. The
-Gentleman who succeeded my dear Husband
-seemed a benevolent Sort of Man,
-a little pompous, maybe, but tenderly
-disposed towards the Poor.</p>
-
-<p class='c013'>And now, Everything being settled,
-we sold some of our old Furniture, and
-sent down the Rest, with Mistress <i>Peach</i>,
-by the Wagon. And my dear Husband
-and I entered <i>Bucklands</i> exactly as we
-had left it, and on the very same Horse;
-I in my cherry-colour Habit, that was
-as fresh as on my Wedding-day. And
-here we have been ever since; and he
-calls me his right Hand, and says my
-Attention to all his secular Affairs leaves
-his Mind at Liberty to pursue his Duties
-and Studies without Distraction—and
-that I understand the Poor even better
-than he does—and that I am his best
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>Counsellor, his dearest Friend, his pleasantest
-Companion, his darling <i>Cherry</i>!—Yes;
-he calls me, and I believe he
-thinks me all this: and as for <i>my</i> being
-happy in <i>him</i> ... I should think so,
-indeed!</p>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c001'>
-    <div>FINIS</div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c001'>
-    <div><span class='small'><i>Printed by</i> <span class='sc'>Ballantyne, Hanson &amp; Co.</span></span></div>
-    <div><span class='small'><i>Edinburgh and London</i></span></div>
-  </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c006' />
-</div>
-<p class='c013'>&nbsp;</p>
-<div class='tnbox'>
-
- <ul class='ul_1 c006'>
-    <li>Transcriber’s Notes:
-      <ul  class='ul_2'>
-        <li>The captions for the illustrations don’t exactly match the captions given in the List
-        of Illustrations.
-        </li>
-        <li>Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
-        </li>
-        <li>Typographical errors were silently corrected.
-        </li>
-        <li>Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant
-        form was found in this book.
-        </li>
-      </ul>
-    </li>
-  </ul>
-
-</div>
-<p class='c013'>&nbsp;</p>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
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