Uncle Max eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 706 pages of information about Uncle Max.

Uncle Max eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 706 pages of information about Uncle Max.

I do not know what there was in this speech that made me cry, but I know I had some difficulty in answering, but I told her a little about Charlie, and how sad I was, and how I loved the work, and she patted my hand softly all the time.

’Never fret, my bairn.  You will not be lonely long:  the Lord will see to that.  He would not let you work for Him and do nothing for you in return.  Nay, that is not His way.  Look at me:  as doctor said the other day, I have dreed my weird; few and evil have been my days, like Jacob, but here I sit like a lady by the fire, warm and comfortable and hearty, thank God; and Andrew’s wife lies on her death-bed, poor woman.’

‘Yes; but, Elspeth, you sit there in the dark.’

’Eh, but it is peaceful and quiet-like, and the Lord bides with me, “and darkness and light are both alike to him,"’ finished Elspeth reverently.  And then I heard the click of the gate, and rose hastily, only the baby cried as I laid her on Elspeth’s lap, and I had to stay a moment to pacify her.

Mr. Hamilton came in and stood by us.

’Do not hurry yourself; I can easily wait a few minutes if you are not ready.  Are you sure you are not too tired to come?’ he continued, looking at me a little inquisitively, and I was certain that he noticed the trace of tears on my face.  Why was it I never could speak of my darling quite calmly?

‘I am perfectly ready, and baby has left off crying,’ I returned, taking up my basket, and then we left the house together.

‘I hope you do not suffer from low spirits, like the rest of us,’ he said, in rather a kind tone, as we walked on.  ’It is to be expected that a cross-grained fellow like myself should have fits of the blues occasionally.  That is one thing I particularly admire about Cunliffe! however worried he is, one never sees him out of humour; his ups and downs are never perceptible.  I do believe he is less selfish than other people.’

‘There is no one like Uncle Max,’ I rejoined fervently.

‘Is it not odd that we should suit each other so well?’ he asked presently, ’for we are complete contrasts.  I can bear him to say things to me that I would knock any other fellow down for saying.  That is why I let him preach to me, because he honestly believes what he says and tries to act up to his profession.’  He broke off here, for by this time we had reached Woodbine Cottage, and he unlatched the gate for me.

A thin-faced child with a cropped head and clean white pinafore opened the door, and dropped an alarmed courtesy when she saw us.

’Please sir, Aunt Susan is out, and Aunt Phoebe is very bad this afternoon, and cannot see any one.  She is lying in the dark, and I was to let none of the neighbours in while Aunt Susan was away.’

‘All right, Kitty; but Aunt Phoebe will see me.’  And he walked into the passage, and told the child to close the door gently.  The room we passed was strewn with work-material, and looked cold and comfortless, but a small kitchen opposite had a warm cosy aspect.  Mr. Hamilton passed both rooms and tapped at a door lower down the passage, and then without waiting for an answer entered, and beckoned me to follow him.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Uncle Max from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.