A few words only were
spoken before she knew what he meant to say, and she interrupted him
passionately.
"Oh! if David was but here!" she cried, "I could keep right then. But I
cannot bear it; indeed, I cannot bear it. The house is so dreary, and
there is nothing for me to think of; and then I begin to go down, down
into such a misery you do not know anything of. I think I should go mad
without it; and after I have taken it, I feel mad with shame. Aunt
Bolton has told me what she said to you; and I can hardly bear to look
either of you in the face. What shall I do?"
"You must break yourself of the habit," he said pitifully; "God will
help you, if you only keep Him in your thoughts. Promise me you will
neither taste it, nor look at it again, and I will take the same solemn
pledge with you now, before God."
"It would be of no use," she answered, in a hopeless tone, "the instant
I see it, I long for it; and I cannot resist the longing. I've vowed on
my knees not to take any for a day only; and the moment I have sat down
to dinner, I could hardly bear to wait till Brown comes around.
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