Cousin Maude by Mary Jane Holmes
page 50 of 215 (23%)
page 50 of 215 (23%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
other delicacies hidden away for a like purpose.
"Mother has not had a feast like this--and she'll enjoy it so much," said Maude, as she started up the stairs followed by Janet, who, ere they reached the chamber, suddenly stopped, saying, "I tell you what 'tis, if she knows I'm here she won't eat a mou'ful, so you say nothin', and when she's through I'll come." This seemed reasonable to Maude, who, leaving Janet to look through a crevice in the door, entered alone into her mother's presence. Mrs. Kennedy had waited long for Maude, and at last, weary with listening to the rain, which made her feel so desolate and sad, she fell asleep, as little Louis at her side had done before her; but Maude's cheering voice awoke her. "Look, mother," she cried, "see the nice dinner!" and her own eyes fairly danced as she placed the tray upon the table before her mother, who, scarcely less pleased, exclaimed, "A boiled egg--and jelly, too!--I've wanted them both so much. How did it happen?" "Eat first, and then I'll tell you," answered Maude, propping her up with pillows, and setting the server in her lap. "It tastes like old times--like Janet," said the invalid, and from the room without, where Janet watched, there came a faint, choking sound, which Matty thought was the wind and which Maude knew was Janet. Through the door she caught sight of her mistress, whose white, wasted face wrung from her that cry. Stuffing her handkerchief into |
|