added, he was going higher up the dale, and would not return till the
evening, and that he would see Helen on his way back. He spoke this on the
step of the door, as he was going out. John heard it, and, running up to
Mr. Martin, asked him if he might go up with Mr. Armstrong as far as Mr.
Scott's, "just to hear how poor Marion is, this morning, Sir." "Certainly,
my dear, I am glad that you thought of it; for I am very anxious to hear
of her myself. But, stop a moment, I will get you something for her that
may be useful; as it is not likely that Mrs. Scott should have any
herself." So saying, he went up to his wife, and asked her for a pot of
black currant jelly, of which a country clergyman's wife always takes care
to have a good supply, for the benefit of her poorer neighbours. John
having got his affairs carefully packed by Nelly, in a wicker basket, set
out at a good pace after Mr. Armstrong. As he walked along he could not
help remembering in what very different circumstance he had walked that
very road, only three days before. "Dear me," said he to himself, "who
could have thought that so very happy a day should have produced such
melancholy events? Here are we, all in sickness and anxiety, instead of
singing and conversing so pleasantly as we then did. I may just as well be
at the hill now, as with the Minister; for, even though Miss Helen should
get well, (which I hope and trust she will,) there can be no long walks
for a great while again. I remember, when I had this troublesome disease,
I was not able to run about, strongly, for nearly three months." As he
passed by Mr. Elliott's cottage, he gave it a look, and said, "Well, I
wish Miss Helen could live at that pretty place, when she grows to be a
woman; but I don't see how it can well happen, unless, indeed, Master
William should become a great man, (as why should he not? He is my
master's own son; and he is surely the best man in Eskdale;) then, to be
sure, he may very likely buy the farm, to please his sister, and live at
it with her; oh, dear! how I should like to see that day."