I cannot think what
they will do when Dexie has left the house," and he sighed heavily.
When Mr. Hackett departed with the missing papers, Mr. Sherwood called her
to his side and explained many things which would have to be seen to after
his death, and Dexie sat and listened with quivering lips and hands
clasped, palms downwards, across her lap, in an agony of mind, until she
fell on her knees beside his couch, crying, "Oh! papa! dear papa! what
shall I do without you!"
Her father stroked the ruffled hair and soothed her by his tender words
till her tears flowed less freely and her sobs were checked, when he added:
"Now, I want to speak of yourself, Dexie. Do not keep Traverse waiting for
you after I am gone. He has been very patient, and it has been on my
account that he has waited so long for you. I am not blind to the trouble
which you have borne so bravely and quietly these few months back; you have
had little time to prepare anything for your new life, as most girls like
to do, but this shall be made up to you, my dear. I have thought sometimes
I would ask you to have your marriage performed here before me, but I will
not be so selfish; that should be the happiest hour of a woman's life, and
it would not be so to you under such circumstances.
Pages:
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657