[Scenes of Clerical Life by George Eliot]@TWC D-Link bookScenes of Clerical Life CHAPTER 8 1/10
CHAPTER 8. The following Wednesday, when Mr.and Mrs.Hackit were seated comfortably by their bright hearth, enjoying the long afternoon afforded by an early dinner, Rachel, the housemaid, came in and said,--'If you please 'm, the shepherd says, have you heard as Mrs.Barton's wuss, and not expected to live ?' Mrs.Hackit turned pale, and hurried out to question the shepherd, who, she found, had heard the sad news at an ale-house in the village.
Mr. Hackit followed her out and said, 'Thee'dst better have the pony-chaise, and go directly.' 'Yes,' said Mrs.Hackit, too much overcome to utter any exclamations. 'Rachel, come an' help me on wi' my things.' When her husband was wrapping her cloak round her feet in the pony-chaise, she said,--'If I don't come home to-night, I shall send back the pony-chaise, and you'll know I'm wanted there.' 'Yes, yes.' It was a bright frosty day, and by the time Mrs.Hackit arrived at the Vicarage, the sun was near its setting.
There was a carriage and pair standing at the gate, which she recognized as Dr Madeley's, the physician from Rotherby.
She entered at the kitchen door that she might avoid knocking, and quietly question Nanny.
No one was in the kitchen, but, passing on, she saw the sitting-room door open, and Nanny, with Walter in her arms, removing the knives and forks, which had been laid for dinner three hours ago. 'Master says he can't eat no dinner,' was Nanny's first word.
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