The Maiden; A Story for My Young Countrywomen

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1848 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER m. THE BEAUTY AND POWER OF GOODNESS. Anna remained sitting in a slightly pensive mood, in the parlor below, after her father left ner. The manner of Gardiner had disturbed her feelings. It opened up to her eyes a new view of his character. It presented him to her from a new point of vision. She had denied herself a desired pleasure for the sake of a sick parent, and he had not approved the act--nay, had clearly disapproved it. Have I done right or wrong? she asked herself., Then reviewing her conduct, and weighing all the reasons that had decided her course of action, she murmured, Eight, and rose to her feet. The tea bell rang at the moment, and she ascended to the dining-room, to meet her father and mother, with a cheerful, happy face. I '11 pour out the tea, she said, as her mother came in, leaning upon her father's arm. You take my place. No, dear. I can wait on the table weK enough, returned Mrs. Lee. But I can do it better. So sit down in my place. Yes, dear, you had better, said Mr. Lee. Even the slight exertion of pouring out the tea may disturb your nervous system too much, and bring back that dreadful pain in your head. Let Anna wait on the table, this evening. Mrs. Lee objected no farther, and Anna did the honours of the table. John was very quiet, and had a thoughtful look. The fact was, remembering that Anna had urged him to eat his supper and go to bed when the other children did, because she wished to go out, and seeing that, although called for, she had yet remained at home, he felt that he had been unkind to one who was always kind to him, and who, on account of his perverseness and ill-nature, had been deprived of an expected enjoyment. Had Anna permitted herself to get angry with John, and been led to speak to him ...