"
The storm had broken by this time, and the crashing of the thunder
seemed to add horror to the hopeless misery of her sobs and
complainings. Huldah could scarcely bear it.
"Aunt Emma, don't say such things," she cried. "I care, I do really.
You shan't starve,--not while I can work. I'll work harder, and help
you. I'll ask Miss Rose about it."
But the half-starved, miserable woman could not check her sobs, once
they had begun. The hunger and want and loneliness had worn her
health and spirit until a little kindness was more than she could
bear. She broke down entirely under it.
Huldah sat with a very grave face all the time they were taking their
tea. Things had suddenly become so perplexing, she did not know what
to do or think.
"Oh dear," she sighed, "it all seemed so lovely only an hour ago.
I thought it was going to last like it for ever and ever."
She was so lost in perplexity about Aunt Emma's future, that Mrs.
Perry was left to entertain their guest,--to listen, at least, to the
tale of her wanderings and sufferings, and the hardships she had
endured all her life.
"I've never 'ad nobody to care for me, nor no kindness from anybody,
so I haven't got to thank anybody for anything--that's one thing!"
the poor foolish woman kept repeating, as though, instead of being
ashamed of it, it was something to be proud of.
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