She understood; she was quiet and unobtrusive. She made no attempt to
break down the wall thus established between us. And I was determined, on
the whole, to be more than just with Rebecca. I would be kind to her in
her disgrace. I would palliate her weakness as far as I could
consistently with a pure and high standard of action. I even
congratulated myself on the magnanimity of my intentions, except when I
met the clear, sad gaze of those dispassionate eyes. Then I experienced
an unaccountable sensation, as though I had received a blow inwardly,
that staggered me, for an instant, in my fine conceptions of honor, and
set my conclusions out of order.
The Wallencampers were quick to note the estrangement between us, and
affirmed that "Beck was mad, and wouldn't speak to teacher, along o'
teacher's goin' with Beck's beau."
This gratuitous solution of the mystery was not evolved in my presence.
Still I knew, that all through those lonely, suffering days, it was often
repeated to Rebecca; that those who had borne the girl any grudge, or
deemed that she was taking airs above them, took pains, now, that the
taunt should reach her ears; and even the children, who had always loved
her, uttered it before her with childish thoughtlessness.
Pages:
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300