The Romance of a Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
page 48 of 63 (76%)
page 48 of 63 (76%)
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you how clever and beautiful they were, but you never asked and my
pride was up in arms. A man should stand by his own flesh and blood, even if it isn't attractive; that's what I believe." "I know, I know! But I've had no feeling for three years. I've been like a frozen man, just drifting, trying to make both ends meet, my heart dead and my body full of pain. I'm just out of a hospital--two months in all." "David! Why didn't you let me know, or send for me?" "Oh, it was way out in Missouri. I was taken ill very suddenly at the hotel in St. Joseph and they moved me at once. There were two operations first and last, and I didn't know enough to feed myself most of the time." "Poor, poor Buddy! Did you have good care?" "The best. I had more than care. Ruth Bentley, the nurse that brought me back to life, made me see what a useless creature I was." Some woman's instinct stirred in Letty at a new note in her brother's voice and a new look in his face. She braced herself for his next words, sure that they would open a fresh chapter. The door and the window were closed now, the shades pulled down, the fire low; the hour was ripe for confidences. "You see, Letty,"--and David cleared his throat nervously, and looked at the coals gleaming behind the Hessian soldiers,--"it's a time for a thorough housecleaning, body, mind, and soul, a long illness is; and |
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