A Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life. by A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train) Whitney
page 35 of 224 (15%)
page 35 of 224 (15%)
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and blindfold.
"Why don't you try the eyestone?" said Jeannie. But Elinor shrunk, even yet, from deliberately putting that great thing in her eye, agonized already by the presence of a mote. There came a touch on her shoulder, as before. The good woman of the gray bonnet had come forward from her seat farther down the car. "I'm going to stop presently," she said, "at East Haverhill; and I _should_ feel more satisfied in my mind if you'd just let me see you easy before I go. Besides, if you don't do something quick, the cinder will get so bedded in, and make such an inflammation, that a dozen eyestones wouldn't draw it out." At this terror, poor Elinor yielded, in a negative sort of way. She ceased to make resistance when her unknown friend, taking the little twist of paper from the hand still fast closed over it with the half-conscious grasp of pain, dexterously unrolled it, and produced the wonderful chalky morsel. "Now, 'let's see, says the blind man;'" and she drew down hand and handkerchief with determined yet gentle touch. "Wet it in your own mouth,"--and the eyestone was between Elinor's lips before she could refuse or be aware. Then one thumb and finger was held to take it again, while the other made a sudden pinch at the lower eyelid, and, drawing it at the outer corner before it could so much as quiver away again, the little white stone was slid safely under. |
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