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Page 46
She said, and in the
answering gained the calm
He looked for, "I had in the world no friend
Truer to help me than a worthy soul
Who was our servant. She and her good man
Throve in the world, and keep the chief inn here.
When she left us to marry I had said
That on my birthday, as she asked, perhaps
Some once or twice a year besides, I'd write:
And that I did, and had such answers back
As made me laugh and cry, they were so quaint,
Showing such honest love so blunderingly.
And so I fled to her. Good creature! glad
She would have been to make me in her home
Like a fine lady daughter: but to-day
As we walked here, she turned to the old theme
And urged it with her honest eloquence.
Through her I got my pupils - I teach French,
Italian, 'fluent German,' and so forth
'Learned in the countries.' ...... and I do not starve."
He thought a little. "Will you for my prayer
Put strain upon your pride? I will not ask
That you should go to her, sit down again
Beside her hearth, but, if risk comes to you,
Or illness, while I am away, you'll write
To that too rashly judging aunt ...... whom yet
One day we will forgive together?"
"Nay."
She laughed in anger, "would she care for me?"
He said "We are in feud for your sake now,
And for your sake, because I will not stoop
To exonerate you whom she should have known,
I will not seek her till - I told her when:
But yet, I know her, and her heart is good,
I'll trust her. Promise, Lota."
"Oh," she said,
"You pardon lightly, you. I am not so;
I take no grace from hands that struck me first.
I cannot tie a loop in a snapped thread
Of love, and work on with the knot and all.
You ask a promise past my strength. No, no,
I cannot promise."
"Then to Evelyn;"
He said "You'll turn for help to Evelyn?
She did not wrong you. I could go content
If you would promise me to trust in her."
And then, because he urged it, Lota said
"Yes, Evelyn - I'll turn to her at need."
And Gervase leaving her was comforted,
As if he left her in an angel's care.
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