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The Little Minister, a novel by James Matthew Barrie |
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Chapter XL - Babbie and Margaret--Defence of the Manse continued |
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_ The Egyptian was mournful in Windyghoul, up which she had once danced and sung; but you must not think that she still feared Dow. I felt McKenzie's clutch on any arm for hours after he left me, but she was far braver than I; indeed, dangers at which I should have shut my eyes only made hers gleam, and I suppose it was sheer love of them that first made her play the coquette with Gavin. If she cried now, it was not for herself; it was because she thought she had destroyed him. Could I have gone to her then and said that Gavin wanted to blot out the gypsy wedding, that throbbing little breast would have frozen at once, and the drooping head would have been proud again, and she would have gone away forever without another tear. What do I say? I am doing a wrong to the love these two bore each Remembering that the mudhouse was near, she groped her way to it, The rain that followed the flash of lightning had brought Margaret "Jean, did you ever hear such a rain? It is trying to break into "I canna hear you, ma'am; is it the rain you're feared at?" "What else could it be?" Jean did not answer. "I hope the minister won't leave the church, Jean, till this is "Nobody would daur, ma'am. The rain'll turn the key on them all." Jean forced out these words with difficulty, for she knew that the "This rain has come as if in answer to the minister's prayer, "It wasna rain like this they wanted." "Jean, you would not attempt to guide the Lord's hand. The Jean shuddered, and said, "It's mair like an ordinary rain now, "But it has put out your fire, and I wanted another heater. Margaret returned to the parlor, and from the kitchen Jean could "Is it you, Mr. Dishart?" Jean asked nervously. "It's me, Tammas Whamond," the precentor answered. "Unbar the "What do you want? Speak low." "I winna speak low. Let me in. I hae news for the minister's "What news?" demanded Jean. "Jean Proctor, as chief elder of the kirk I order you to let me do "Whaur's the minister?" "He's a minister no longer. He's married a gypsy woman and run awa "You lie, Tammas Whamond. I believe--" "Your belief's of no consequence. Open the door, and let me in to "She'll hear it first frae his ain lips if she hears it ava. I "Then I'll burst it open," Whamond flung himself at the door, and Jean, her fingers rigid "I'll be back again," he cried. "Woe to you, Jean Proctor, that "Who was that speaking to you, Jean?" asked Margaret, re-entering "I thought it was the precentor's voice," Margaret said. Jean was a poor hand at lying, and she stuttered in her answer. "There is nothing wrong, is there?" cried Margaret, in sudden "Nothing, nothing." The words jumped from Jean to save Margaret from falling. Now she "It was Lang Tammas," she answered her mistress; "but he just came "Quick, Jean! what?" "Mr. Dishart has been called to a sick-bed in the country, ma'am-- "And Whamond came through that rain to tell me this? How good of "Just that the minister hoped you would go straight to your bed, The two women talked for a short time, and then read verse about "This is the first night we have been left alone in the manse," "Ay, they're barred. Nobody can win in the nicht." "Nobody will want in, Jean," Margaret said, smiling. "I dinna ken about that," answered Jean below her breath. "Ay, Jean was both right and wrong, for two persons wanted in within So long as women sit up of nights listening for a footstep, will "Won't you let me in?" said a voice that might have been only the Jean stood like death; but her suppliant would not pass on. "You are not afraid?" the voice continued. "Raise the blind again, At this request Jean's hands sought each other's company behind "Wha are you?" she asked, without stirring. "Are you--the woman?" "Yes." "Whaur's the minister?" The rain again became wild, but this time it only tore by the "Are you aye there? I daurna let you in till I'm sure the mistress "There was a light," the voice said presently, "but it was turned "Then I'll let you in, and God kens I mean no wrang by it." Babbie entered shivering, and Jean rebarred the door. Then she "What a pity it's a fause face." "Do I look so false?" "Is it true? You're no married to him?" "Yes, it is true." "And yet you look as if you was fond o' him. If you cared for him, "That was why I did it." "And him could hae had wha he liked." "I gave up Lord Rintoul for him." "What? Na, na; you're the Egyptian." "You judge me by my dress." "And soaking it is. How you're shivering--what neat fingers--what So Babbie put on some clothes of Jean's, including the black "Mr. Dishart cannot be back, Jean," she said, "before morning, and "I wouldna let you near her the nicht though you gaed on your Babbie explained why Gavin had set off for the Spittal; but Jean In another minute Jean had something else to think of, for there "It's Tammas Whamond back again," she moaned; "and if the mistress "You shall open to me," cried a hoarse voice. "That's no Tammas' word," Jean said in bewilderment. "It is Lord Rintoul," Babbie whispered. "What? Then it's truth you telled me." The knocking continued; a door upstairs opened, and Margaret spoke "Have you gone to bed, Jean? Some one is knocking at the door, and "I'm putting on my things, ma'am," Jean answered; then whispered "He won't go away," Babbie answered, "You will have to let him "No; but though he was in the parlor?" "I shall go to him there." "Make haste, Jean," Margaret called. "If it is any persons wanting "A minute, ma'am," Jean answered. To Babbie she whispered, "What "I--I don't know," answered Babbie ruefully. "Think of something, The two women stole into the parlor. "Tell me what will be the result o' his coming here," entreated "The result," Babbie said firmly, "will be that he shall go away Margaret heard Jean open the front door and speak to some person |