Grandma Keeler's sacred "keepin' rooms" were opened wide for the
reception of this guest, yet the sunshine stole in with a hallowed light,
the entering breeze sighed low and softly. The children, always present,
were, on this occasion, attentively still.
There were no external signs of woe for the poor Wallencampers to assume;
they made no mad demonstrations of their grief; the suffering and the
wonder were too deep.
Lydia--they all knew how she had loved this son. When they returned from
their perilous quest in the storm, the first words Captain Sartell said
were; "Who must go up now, and break Lyddy's heart?"
She stood among the others, very still, the old faded mantilla folded
decently over her shoulders, the great dark eyes, _his_ eyes, shining out
even kindly from the worn face on those who came to speak to her.
Godfrey Cradlebow stood at the outer door, and addressed the people as
they entered. Some said, afterwards, that he had been drinking; others
declared he had not touched a drop for days. In the room where I stood, I
heard his musical, deep tones, now swelling with the fervor of his
harangue, now broken and trembling with emotion.
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