The Light in the Clearing by Irving Bacheller
page 51 of 354 (14%)
page 51 of 354 (14%)
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down on the steps in great dejection. Shep followed, working at my coat
with his tongue. I think that the sight of me must have touched the heart of Aunt Deel. "Peabody Baynes, we mustn't be cruel," said she in a softer tone, and then she brought a rag and began to assist Shep in the process of cleaning my coat. "Good land! He's got to stay here--ayes!--he ain't got no other place to go to." "But if you can't stan' it," said Uncle Peabody. "I've got to stan' it--ayes!--I can't stan' it, but I've got to--ayes! So have you." Aunt Deel put me to bed although it was only five o'clock. As I lay looking up at the shingles a singular resolution came to me. It was born of my longing for the companionship of my kind and of my resentment. I would go and live with the Dunkelbergs. I would go the way they had gone and find them. I knew it was ten miles away, but of course everybody knew where the Dunkelbergs lived and any one would show me. I would run and get there before dark and tell them that I wanted to live with them, and every day I would play with Sally Dunkelberg. Uncle Peabody was not half as nice to play with as she was. I heard Uncle Peabody drive away. I watched him through the open window. I could hear Aunt Deel washing the dishes in the kitchen. I got out of bed very slyly and put on my Sunday clothes. I went to the open window. The sun had just gone over the top of the woods. I would have to hurry to get to the Dunkelbergs' before dark. I crept out on the top of |
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