Seeing me now, she cast
down her eyes, a steely expression gathering about her mouth.
"You've come too late, teacher," said she, her voice breaking suddenly
into a sob as she lifted her apron to her eyes.
In that instant it flashed through my mind,--the fear George Olver had
expressed lest Rebecca should make away with herself. I fancied that I
turned terribly pale.
"Come in, teacher!" Aunt Patty exclaimed, with a quick motion of her
hand, and she continued rapidly:--
"Becky went away this afternoon. She's gone to Taunton. She didn't tell
nobody but me. If you'd 'a' come sooner you might 'a' kep' her, teacher.
She's gone to Jane Meredith's that works thar, in the shops and Beck used
to know her. She hires a room, and Beck she's saved a little money
cranberryin'. She says she's a goin' to stay thar' as long as it holds
out, and 'maybe,' she says, 'I can git work;' she says thar' ain't nobody
here cares for her but me. 'And it's only a trouble to you, mother,' she
says; 'and maybe, I shan't never come back again.' If you could 'a' seen
how she looked. Oh, my God!" As the poor woman held her hands to her
face, I saw the tears springing out between her fingers.
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