She had to blame some one, or go
crazy, so she took it out on you. At times, those first ten years, if I
had talked to you, and you had repeated anything to her, she might have
struck you too hard. She was not master of herself. You must be patient
with her, Elnora. God only knows what she has gone through, but I think
she is a little better, lately."
"So do I," said Elnora. "She seems more interested in my clothes, and
she fixes me such delicious lunches that the girls bring fine candies
and cake and beg to trade. I gave half my lunch for a box of candy one
day, brought it home to her, and told her. Since, she has wanted me to
carry a market basket and treat the crowd every day, she was so pleased.
Life has been too monotonous for her. I think she enjoys even the little
change made by my going and coming. She sits up half the night to read
the library books I bring, but she is so stubborn she won't even admit
that she touches them. Tell me more about my father."
"Wait until I see if I can find the violin."
So Elnora went home in suspense, and that night she added to her
prayers: "Dear Lord, be merciful to my father, and oh, do help Aunt
Margaret to get his violin."
Wesley and Billy came in to supper tired and hungry. Billy ate heartily,
but his eyes often rested on a plate of tempting cookies, and when
Wesley offered them to the boy he reached for one. Margaret was
compelled to explain that cookies were forbidden that night.
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