Read Harriet Beecher Stowe : Three Novels Online

Authors: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Tags: #test

Harriet Beecher Stowe : Three Novels (119 page)

BOOK: Harriet Beecher Stowe : Three Novels
12.15Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

 

Page 692
posing he is right,which appears very probable to me,what is he going to do about it? No moral argument, since the world began, ever prevailed over twenty-five per cent. profit.
"However, he is the spiritual director of
la belle Puritaine,
and was a resident in my grandfather's family, so I did the agreeable with him as well as such an uncircumcised Ishmaelite could. I discoursed theology,sat with the most docile air possible while he explained to me all the ins and outs in his system of the universe, past, present, and future,heard him dilate calmly on the Millennium, and expound prophetic symbols, marching out before me his whole apocalyptic menagerie of beasts and dragons with heads and horns innumerable, to all which I gave edifying attention, taking occasion now and then to turn a compliment in favor of the ladies,never lost, you know.
"Really, he is a worthy old soul, and actually believes all these things with his whole heart, attaching unheard-of importance to the most abstract ideas, and embarking his whole being in his ideal view of a grand Millennial
finale
to the human race. I look at him and at myself, and ask, Can human beings be made so unlike?
"My little Mary to-day was in a mood of 'sweet austere composure' quite becoming to her style of beauty; her
naïve nonchalance
at times is rather stimulating. What a contrast between her and
la belle Française!
all the difference that there is between a diamond and a flower. I find the little thing has a cultivated mind, enriched by reading, and more by a still, quaint habit of thinking, which is new and charming. But a truce to this.
"I have seen our friends at last. We have had three or four meetings, and are waiting to hear from Philadelphia,matters are getting in train. If Messrs. T. and S. dare to repeat what they said again, let me know; they will find in me a man not to be trifled with. I shall be with you in a week or ten days at farthest. Meanwhile stand to your guns.
"Ever yours,
"B
URR.
"

 

Page 693
XVII.
Polemics in the Kitchen
The next morning, before the early dews had yet dried off the grass, Mary started to go and see her friend Mrs. Marvyn. It was one of those charming, invigorating days, familiar to those of Newport experience, when the sea lies shimmering and glittering in deep blue and gold, and the sky above is firm and cloudless, and every breeze that comes landward seems to bear health and energy upon its wings.
As Mary approached the house, she heard loud sounds of discussion from the open kitchen-door, and, looking in, saw a rather original scene acting.
Candace, armed with a long oven-shovel, stood before the open door of the oven, whence she had just been removing an army of good things which appeared ranged around on the dresser. Cato, in the undress of a red flannel shirt and tow-cloth trousers, was cuddled, in a consoled and protected attitude, in the corner of the wooden settle, with a mug of flip in his hand, which Candace had prepared, and, calling him in from his work, authoritatively ordered him to drink, on the showing that he had kept her awake the night before with his cough, and she was sure he was going to be sick. Of course, worse things may happen to a man than to be vigorously taken care of by his wife, and Cato had a salutary conviction of this fact, so that he resigned himself to his comfortable corner and his flip with edifying serenity.
Opposite to Candace stood a well-built, corpulent negro man, dressed with considerable care, and with the air of a person on excellent terms with himself. This was no other than Digo, the house-servant and factotum of Dr. Stiles, who considered himself as the guardian of his master's estate, his title, his honor, his literary character, his professional position, and his religious creed.
Digo was ready to assert before all the world, that one and all of these were under his special protection, and that
BOOK: Harriet Beecher Stowe : Three Novels
12.15Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
Voices in the Dark by Catherine Banner
The Biker's Wench by Jamie DeBree
Heresy by S.J. Parris


readsbookonline.com Copyright 2016 - 2024