[The Tides of Barnegat by F. Hopkinson Smith]@TWC D-Link bookThe Tides of Barnegat CHAPTER IX 3/15
Her eyes, too, had lost their lustre, and her step lacked the spring and vigor of her old self.
The diagnosis alarmed him. Even the mould of her face, so distinguished, and to him so beautiful, had undergone a change; whether through illness, or because of some mental anguish, he could not decide. When he pressed his inquiries about Lucy she answered with a half-stifled sigh that Lucy had decided to remain abroad for a year longer; adding that it had been a great relief to her, and that at first she had thought of remaining with her, but that their affairs, as he knew, had become so involved at home that she feared their means of living might be jeopardized if she did not return at once.
The child, however, would be a comfort to both Martha and herself until Lucy came. Then she added in a constrained voice: "Its mother would not, or could not care for it, and so I brought it with me." Once at home and the little waif safely tucked away in the crib that had sheltered Lucy in the old days, the neighbors began to flock in; Uncle Ephraim among the first. "My, but I'm glad you're back!" he burst out.
"Martha's been lonelier than a cat in a garret, and down at our house we ain't much better.
And so that Bunch of Roses is going to stay over there, is she, and set those Frenchies crazy ?" Pastor Dellenbaugh took both of Jane's hands into his own and looking into her face, said: "Ah, but we've missed you! There has been no standard, my dear Miss Jane, since you've been gone.
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