A Child-World by James Whitcomb Riley
page 50 of 123 (40%)
page 50 of 123 (40%)
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The Hired Man, in the corner where he sat
In quiet sequestration, shelling corn, Ceased wholly, listening, with a face forlorn As Sorrow's own, while Susan, John and Jake Told of these strangers who had come to make Some weeks' stay in the town, in hopes to gain Once more the health the wife had sought in vain: Their doctor, in the city, used to know The Loehrs--Dan and Rachel--years ago,-- And so had sent a letter and request For them to take a kindly interest In favoring the couple all they could-- To find some home-place for them, if they would, Among their friends in town. He ended by A dozen further lines, explaining why His patient must have change of scene and air-- New faces, and the simple friendships there With _them_, which might, in time, make her forget A grief that kept her ever brooding yet And wholly melancholy and depressed,-- Nor yet could she find sleep by night nor rest By day, for thinking--thinking--thinking still \ Upon a grief beyond the doctor's skill,-- The death of her one little girl. "Pore thing!" Floretty sighed, and with the turkey-wing Brushed off the stove-hearth softly, and peered in The kettle of molasses, with her thin Voice wandering into song unconsciously-- |
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