The Black Creek Stopping-House by Nellie L. McClung
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page 13 of 165 (07%)
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of the wood-box twanging a Jew's-harp, and the tune that he played bore
a slight resemblance to "Pull for the Shore." Randolph felt the Sunday atmosphere, but, nevertheless, made known his errand. "The bread is yours," said Mrs. Corbett, sternly; "you may have it, but I can't bake any more for you!" "W'y not?" asked Reginald, feeling all at once hungrier than ever. "Of course I am not saying you can help it," Mrs. Corbett went on, ignoring his question. "I suppose, maybe, you do the best you can. I believe everybody does, if we only knew it, and you haven't had a very good chance either, piratin' among the black heathen in the islands of the sea; but the Bible speaks plain, and old Captain Coombs often told us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, and I can't encourage Sunday-breakin' by cookin' for them that do it!" "We weren't breakin', really we were only back-settin'," interposed Reginald, quickly. "I don't wish to encourage Sabbath-breakin'," repeated Mrs. Corbett, raising her voice a little to prevent interruptions, "by bakin' for people who do it, or neighborin' with people who do it. Of course there are some who say that the amount of work that you and your brother do any day would not break the Sabbath." Here she looked hard at her man, John Corbett, who stirred uneasily. "But there is no mistakin' your meanin', and besides," Mrs. Corbett went on, "we have others besides ourselves to think of--there's the child," indicating the lanky Peter |
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