"Meanwhile, I hoped they would not consider it strange, or ungracious of
me to say that I should very much prefer not to have Brother Will, or any
one else, come to Wallencamp to look after me, as Brother Will and some
others had kindly suggested doing. It would seem to imply that I was not
capable of taking care of myself, a mania which I trusted no longer held
possession of the family brain. Moreover, Wallencamp, though so charming
a place, had but few facilities for the accommodation of guests. I should
draw on my salary, now, very shortly, and would then remit the sums I had
borrowed in mere temporary embarrassment," etc.
CHAPTER XII.
BECKY'S CONFESSION.
The Wallencamp bonfire, like Christmas or a Fourth of July celebration in
less ingenious and erratic communities, came only once a year. It was
kindled on Eagle Hill, that runs out from the mainland of Wallencamp into
Herrin' River,--the Wallencampers called the Hill an island,--and from
most points of view it answered to the geographical description of "Land
entirely surrounded by water," seeming, indeed, to stand solitary in the
river, with an air of infinite repose on its broad, sloping sides; green
and gold, so I remember it ever, with the sun setting over it in the
spring-time,--green and gold, in a crimson river!
It had an air of sublimity, too, looking over and beyond the cedars to
the bay, and down the length of the winding stream that fretted at its
feet or lapped them quietly.
Pages:
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270