A little while before it reached that place, Dr. Sandford arrived upon the scene. He locked a little warm in the face; but his white shooting coat did not seem less affected5 by the state of the weather than the doctor's temper. Mrs. Gary and Mrs. Fish he found sunk in somnolency6 at the foot of the tree where they had been talking. The young ladies were sitting by the emptied hampers7, deep in confab. The boys and Fido, over against the outspread feast, were arranging fishing tackle, and watching the return of the boat; with eyes of anticipation8. To them came the doctor.
"Where is your sister, Ransom9?"
"I don't know." The tone meant, I don't care.
"I do not see her anywhere."
"No more do I," said Ransom, without raising his eyes from his fishing line.
"Where is she?"
"I told you, I don't know."
"Did she go with the fishing party?"
"No sir; she was here when we came," Alexander Fish spoke10 up.
"Yes, I remember she was here," said Preston. "I remember seeing her. She cannot be far off. It's hot enough to keep people from straying far."
The doctor, being not absolutely satisfied with this reasoning, and having nothing better to do, occupied himself with a search after the missing Daisy. It lasted some time, and he was beginning to be not quite easy in his mind; when, being a sportsman, his eye detected something at a distance which was not moss11 nor stone. In two minutes the doctor came up with it. It was Daisy, fast asleep on her moss bed behind the rock. Her head lay on her arm which was curled up under it; and profound slumber12 had left the little pale face as serene13 as usual. The doctor was warm by this time. He sat down on the moss beside her; and putting his arm under Daisy's shoulders lifted her up, by way of waking her, speaking to her at the same moment. But to his amusement, Daisy no sooner got her eyes well open than she shook herself free of him, and sat as demure14 as possible opposite to him on the moss.
"Dr. Sandford!—I believe—I got asleep," she said in a bewildered kind of way.
"How did you get here, Daisy?"
"I came here, sir."
"What for did you come here?"
Daisy looked troubled; glanced at the doctors face, and then rested her head on her hand.
"Who has been vexing15 you now?" said he at haphazard16.
"I am not vexed17," said Daisy in the gentlest of all possible tones.
"Tired?"
"I think I am tired."
"Honour bright, Daisy!—has not some one been vexing you?"
"I ought not to have been vexed," said Daisy slowly.
"I will wager18 that you are wrong there, and that you ought to have been vexed. Who was it, Daisy?"
"Never mind, please, Dr. Sandford! It is no matter at all now."
She put her little hand confidingly19 in the doctor's as she spoke and looked very earnest. He could not resist her.
"I wish I had come sooner," he said. "I shall be suspicious of everybody, Daisy. Come—you and I must go to dinner, or there will be a hue20 and cry after us."
Indeed by this time the whole party were gathered, and in impatient expectation that the dinner would make up to them in some degree for the various disappointments of the morning. All were gathered and had arranged themselves conveniently upon the grass, around the feast which was spread out upon the tablecloth, before anybody knew that two of their number were wanting. The cry was just raised, "Where is the doctor?"—when the doctor hove in sight with Daisy by his side. Everybody was placed already; and it was very natural that the doctor keeping hold of Daisy's hand, led her with him to the spot that seemed to be left for his occupancy, and seated her there beside him. On the other side of Daisy was Mrs. Stanfield. She was very well satisfied with this arrangement, seeing that her father was surrounded by people and busy besides; and that Nora and Ella were with Alexander and Ransom.
What a gay tableful they were! all talking and laughing, though everybody declared himself exceeded by the heat and bored by the fishing, and generally tired of everything but eating and drinking. But iced champagne21 was now at the parched22 lips, and boned turkey and jellied ham were waiting attention, and a good time had come. It was some while, of course, before Daisy could be served. She waited, feeling very happy and amused; for a party of people taking a cold dinner out of doors do not look nor act exactly like the same people taking a hot dinner in the house. Daisy never dreamed that anybody was noticing her. She had a disagreeable surprise.
"Daisy," said Mrs. Randolph from a little distance, and across several people,—"Daisy, what did you do that for?"
"Mamma!"—said Daisy. "What, mamma?"
"Have you a headache?"
"O no, mamma."
"What did you put up your hand to your brow for?"
"Mamma?"—said Daisy, very much bewildered. For she knew nothing was the matter, and she could not guess what her mother was thinking of. Moreover, somehow, Mrs. Randolph's words or manner had acted to stop the voices of all the company in her neighbourhood; and everybody was waiting and looking to see what the subject of interest might be. Mrs. Randolph's words could come now with their usual calm distinctness; and Daisy's answers, no matter how softly spoken, could be well heard. In a good deal of wonder Daisy repeated, "Mamma?"
"You put up your hand and sat with your eyes covered—did you not, just now?"
"Yes, mamma."—No need to bid anybody look and listen now; the rosy23 flush that had spread itself all over Daisy's pale cheeks sufficiently24 aroused curiosity.
"I notice that you do so before every meal—is it not the case?"
"Yes, mamma."
Dr. Sandford could hear the caught breath. He did not look, except by a glance, but he listened.
"What does that mean, Daisy?"
"Mamma?"—said the child in distress25.
"I ask you, what that means? what is it for?"
"Mamma—may I come round there and speak to you?"
"Certainly not. Sit still in your place and answer."
But Daisy was silent, very flushed.
"Do you hear, Daisy? what does that action mean? I wish to know."
"Mamma, may I speak to you in private and tell you?"
"Are you ashamed of it? are you ashamed to tell me?"
"No, mamma."
"Then do it at once."
But everybody waited in vain to hear the answer. It did not come.
"I shall not ask you again, Daisy."
"Mamma," said the child low and modestly, but with steadiness,—"I was praying."
"Praying! were you! Why do you choose that particular time for your private devotions?"
It was almost too much. The tears started in Daisy's eyes; but presently she answered,—"Because God is good to us, mamma."
"He is always good," said Mrs. Randolph. "That is a very silly practice of yours, Daisy, and very unbecoming. There is a proper way of doing everything."
The lady's manner said that the subject was dismissed, and her guests returned to their ordinary conversation. Except the doctor and Daisy. She was overwhelmed, and he was gravely unsocial.
Was it silly?—that bound her heart had made up to the feet of her King? That joyful26 thanksgiving, and expression of love, and pledge of obedience27, and prayer for help? It was something better than the meal often to Daisy; something sweeter and happier. Was it silly? and must she do so no more except when she was alone?
Daisy had quite forgotten that eating and drinking was part of the present matter in hand, when Dr. Sandford softly asked her what she would like to have. Daisy said anything he pleased; not caring herself, and indeed in too much confusion of mind yet to know or think about the business. And her appetite was gone. Dr. Sandford provided for her with kind care, what she liked too; but nothing was good to Daisy. She broke bread and swallowed milk mechanically; the more substantial food she refused utterly28. Bread and milk and grapes were Daisy's dinner.
"It's good to be somebody's favourite," Ransom said to her after the meal was over. "Nobody got any grapes but you."
"Nobody? Why Ransom, I thought everybody had them."
"I didn't,—nor Preston, nor Alexander—not a berry; and Nora and Ella Stanfield didn't. You are the favourite."
"O Nora," said Daisy, "didn't you have any grapes? I'm sorry!"
"I had peaches," said Nora. "I like peaches a great deal the best.
Daisy, what shall we do now?"
"Suppose we sit down and have a talk."
"A talk?" said Nora. "Suppose we have a game of hide and seek? It's such a good place."
"Or forfeits29?" said Ella. "It is too hot to play hide and seek."
"I don't think it is hot," said Nora. "The sun don't shine now."
"Daisy, don't you want to go out with me in the boat?" said Preston coming up. "We'll get in the shade, and see if you can catch a pickerel as well as you did a trout30."
"O I should like that!" said Daisy eagerly. She saw the kindness of
Preston's meaning. He wanted to make her forget her vexations.
"And may we go too?" Nora asked.
"Certainly; but Daisy and I are going to do the fishing. You must be content to look on. We will go round to the other side of the island, Daisy; it is pretty there, I know. And we shall have a better chance for the pickerel, for the sun is gone under a cloud."
So the sun had; but at that very moment the cloud passed off and the brilliant hot beams fell with what seemed renewed brilliancy on the lake, and on all the ground which they could touch.
"It will go under again," said Preston. "We do not mind trifles. Come,
Daisy."
"Daisy, you must not go," said Dr. Sandford looking round. He was just moving away to see some one else, and was gone in a minute.
"The doctor is all very well when one is sick," said Preston; "but I never heard he had a right to command people when they are well. Daisy, we will not mind him."
"I must," said Daisy, meekly31. "But you can go without me, if you want to."
"Nonsense, dear little Daisy! you are not obliged to do what everybody says," her cousin urged. "Dr. Sandford has no more business to say what you shall do than what I shall do. I will not let him rule you so. Come! we will go try for the pickerel. Go, Nora and Ella, run away with the baskets to the boat. Come, Daisy, come!"
"No, Preston, I cannot."
"Because of what that stupid man says? or don't you want to go!"
"I would like to go very much, thank you, Preston."
"Then you shall!"
"No. I cannot."
"Daisy, you might as well obey me as Dr. Sandford."
"I do not think so."
"Nora and Ella are going. You will be left alone."
"I hope you will catch some pickerel," said Daisy steadily32.
But Preston was vexed. He did not like it that his word should not have as much weight with his little cousin as any other person's, after her father and mother. Like other boys, and men, for the most part, he was fond of having his own way even in little things; though he sought it in a polite fashion. And Daisy was very fond of him, and always followed his lead; but now he could not move her. He went off at a bound, and soon was out upon the water, with the girls and Alexander and Ransom also who had joined him.
Daisy would have liked the shelter of her mossy hiding-place again. She stood in the shade of a tree looking after the boat; feeling very much left alone and greatly disposed to have a good crying time; but that was not her way of meeting trouble. What a strange day of pleasure this Silver Lake business had turned out! Yet Daisy had enjoyed many things in it; but her mother's attack upon her at luncheon33 had sobered her completely. It was such a sign of what she might expect. Daisy presently fell to considering what she should do; and then remembered her old refuge, prayer; and then concluded that she was a very happy little girl after all. And instead of being hurt that Nora had been with her so little that day, it was very natural, Daisy said to herself. Of course, Nora wanted to go in the boat with Preston after fish; it was too good an opportunity to be lost; and of course she had liked to walk in the morning with the larger and gayer party. It was all right, Daisy decided34, although not what she herself would have done in the circumstances. Would her note to her father have been reckoned "silly" too? Very likely. Daisy turned her wistful eyes to where he was; sitting in a group of ladies and gentlemen, talking. Daisy could not go to him. Further along, Mrs. Gary was fighting the heat under a tree by herself. No attraction there. Still further—the doctor was standing1 talking to the two young ladies. As Daisy looked, he quitted them and came towards her.
"Have I spoiled all your pleasure, Daisy?"
"No, sir."
"Are you angry with me?"
The answer this time was given with such an affectionate bright smile that the doctor must have been hard not to feel it.
"You do not seem to have much pleasure on hand just now," said he; "would you like to take a little walk with me, and see if we can find any wonderful things?"
Daisy's face was quite answer enough, it was so full of content. The doctor had no intention to tire her; be strolled along the borders of the lake, which was wild and lovely all the more as they got further away from the pic-nic ground. Firs and oaks stood thick all along, with many other trees also; the ground was carpeted with layers of moss; great rocks rose up by the water's edge, grey and brown with lichens35. It was not so hot now. The sun's glare was shielded off. On a mossy carpet beside the water's edge the doctor and Daisy sat down. Undoubtedly37 the doctor had never taken so much trouble with a child before; but Daisy was a study to him.
"We do not find the wonderful things, Daisy," he remarked, throwing himself back upon the moss with his hands under his head. His cap fell off; his blue eyes looked at her with a sort of contented38 laziness; never sleepily. Daisy smiled at him.
"I do," she said.
"You do! What have you found!"
"I think everything is wonderful."
"A profound truth," said the doctor; "but you are very young to find it out. Instance, Daisy."
"But you want to go to sleep, sir."
"How dare you say so? No, I don't. I want to have a talk with you about something wonderful."
Daisy thought he looked a little sleepy, for his eyelids39 drooped40 well over his eyes; nevertheless the eyes saw keenly enough the start of pleasure into hers. And they had seen the pale, subdued41 look of the face that it had worn before. Nevertheless, in spite of that start, Daisy remained as quiet as a mouse, looking at him.
"Don't you think I can talk while I am enjoying myself in this fashion?" said the doctor.
"I think you can talk any way," said Daisy; "but you look a great deal more like sleeping, sir."
"None of that. Go on, Daisy. Only do not say anything about the sun, now that it has gone under a cloud. Let us forget it for a little while."
"What shall I take, then?"
"I don't care. Something green and refreshing42."
Daisy looked around her. On every side she saw things that she had no doubt would be very interesting to talk about; she did not know which to choose. There were the trees; the firs and hemlocks43, and the oaks and maples44, growing thick on every hand. No doubt those beautiful structures had uses and characters of wonder; she had a great mind to ask the doctor to tell her about them. But the great boulder45 beside which they were hid from view, divided her attention; it was very large, and rounded off on all sides, lying quietly on the ground; and Daisy was curious to know how it came to be so grown over with green things; mosses46 and ferns draped it all over; how could they grow on the bare rock?
"Well, Daisy?" said her friend, watching how Daisy's countenance47 woke up from its subdued expression.
"Dr. Sandford, how could these things grow on the rock? these green things?"
"What green things?"
"Why, ever so many sorts. Here is moss, a great deal of it, of different kinds; and there is beautiful brake at the top, like plumes48 of feathers. How can they grow there?"
"Why not?"
"I thought everything wanted some earth to grow in."
"Have they none?"
"I don't know. I thought not. They must have very little indeed, Dr.
Sandford."
"Very little will do, I suppose."
"But I do not see how any earth got there," said Daisy. "It was only a bare rock at first, of course."
"At first," repeated the doctor. "Well, Daisy, I suppose it was no more. But there is something else growing there, which you have not spoken of."
"Is there?" said Daisy. "I do not see anything else."
"Pardon me—you do see it."
"Then I do not know what it is," said Daisy laughing. Absolutely, the sober, sober little face had forgotten its care, and the eyes were alight with intelligence and curiosity, and the lips were unbent in good honest laughter. The doctor raised himself up to a sitting posture49.
"What do you call those grey and brown patches of colour that hide your rock all over?"
"Grey and brown?" said Daisy wistfully—"those are just the colours of the rock, aren't they?"
"No. Look close."
"Why, Dr. Sandford, what is it? It is not the rock—some of it is not—but here is a spot of yellow that is nothing else, I think."
"You must learn not to trust your eyes, Daisy. That is something that grows; it is not rock; it is a vegetable. If I had my pocket lens here I would shew you; but I am afraid—yes, I have left it at home."
"Why it is!" cried Daisy. "I can see now—it is not rock. What is it,
Dr. Sandford?"
"Lichen36."
"What is that, sir?"
"It is one of the lowest forms of vegetable life. It is the first dress the rocks wear, Daisy."
"But what does it live on?"
"Air and water, I suppose."
"I never knew that was a vegetable," said Daisy musingly50. "I thought it was the colour of the rock."
"That goes to prepare soil for the mosses, Daisy."
"O how, Dr. Sandford?"
"In time the surface of the rock is crumbled51 a little by its action; then its own decay furnishes a very little addition to that. In favourable52 situations a stray oak leaf or two falls and lies there, and also decays, and by and by there is a little coating of soil or a little lodgment of it in a crevice53 or cavity, enough for the flying spores54 of some moss to take root and find home."
"And then the moss decays and makes soil for the ferns?"
"I suppose so."
Daisy stood looking with a countenance of delighted intelligence at the great boulder, which was now to her a representative and witness of natural processes she had had no knowledge of before. The mosses, the brakes, the lichen, had all gained new beauty and interest in her eyes. The doctor watched her and then scrambled55 up to his feet and came to her side.
"Look here, Daisy," said he, stooping down at the foot of the rock and shewing her where tufts of a delicate little green plant clustered, bearing little umbrella-like heads on tiny shafts56 of handles.
"What is that Dr. Sandford?"
"Something wonderful."
"Is it? It is pretty. What is it, sir?"
[Illustration]
"It is a plant somewhere between the mosses and the lichens in its character—it is one of the liverworts, and they are some of the first plants to go in advance of superior vegetation. This is called Marchantia."
"And is it wonderful, Dr. Sandford?"
"If I could shew it to you, you would think so. Look here, Daisy—on the surface of this leaf do you see little raised spots here and there?"
"Yes, I see them."
"Those are, when they are finished, little baskets."
"Baskets?" exclaimed Daisy delightedly. "I can't see anything like a basket now."
"No, it is too small for you to see; you must take it on my word, who have seen it. They are baskets, and such baskets as you never dreamed of. The shape is elegant, and round the edge, Daisy, they are cut into a fringe of teeth, and each tooth is cut again into teeth, making a fringe around its tiny edge."
"I wish I could see it," said Daisy.
"Now if you were my little sister, and lived with me, I could shew you these things in the evenings."
Daisy responded to this with a very grateful and somewhat wistful smile, but immediately went on with the business in hand.
"Do these little baskets hold anything, Dr. Sandford"
"Yes. Baskets are always made to hold something."
"What do they hold?"
"They hold what are called spores; that is, little bits of things which, whenever they get a chance, begin to grow and make new plants."
"Seeds?" said Daisy.
"They answer the purpose of seeds."
"How do they get out of the basket? do the winds blow them out?"
"Or the rain washes them out. If they lie long enough in the basket, they will take root there, and then there is a new plant seen growing out of the old one."
"How wonderful it is!" said Daisy.
"There is another wonder about it. It does not matter which way these little spores lie on the ground or in the basket; but the side that happens to be exposed to the light, after a time, prepares itself to expand into the surface of a frond57, while the dark side sends down a tiny root."
"And it does not matter which side lies uppermost?"
"No, not in the beginning."
"What is a frond, Dr. Sandford?"
"This sort of seed-bearing leaf is called so."
"How pretty it is!" said Daisy. "What are these little things like umbrellas?"
"These carry the real seed vessels58 of the plant."
"Other seeds. Dr. Sandford, is everything wonderful?"
"What do you think about it?"
"I do not know but a very little," said Daisy; "but I never should have thought this little green moss—or what did you say it was?"
"Liverwort. Its name is Marchantia."
"This liverwort; I never should have supposed it was anything but pretty, and of course good for something; but now I never heard anything so wonderful."
"More than the sun?" said Dr. Sandford smiling.
"It is more surprising, I think," said Daisy.
"Pray, what makes you conclude so securely that this little Marchantia is good for something?"
Daisy gave him a quick look of wisdom and suspicion mingled59. The doctor was getting a very good amusement himself, and quite entered into the matter. He waited for Daisy's answer. It came diplomatically.
"Isn't everything good for something, sir?"
"'Pon my word, I don't know," said the doctor. "My enquiry was for the grounds of your opinion, Daisy."
"It was not an opinion. I do not think I am old enough to have an opinion."
"What was it, Daisy?"
The doctor was still crouching60 down by the side of the rock examining carelessly whatever he found there. Daisy looked at him and waited, and felt at last that good manners required her to speak.
"You said, sir, that baskets were made to hold something."
"So your remark was an inference from mine?"
"No, sir."
"Go on, Daisy."
"I only said it, sir, because I knew it was true."
There was an odd contrast between the extreme modesty61 of Daisy's manner and the positiveness of her words.
"It is said to be a great philosophical62 truth, Daisy; but what I want to know is how you, not being a philosopher, have got such firm hold of it?"
He faced Daisy now, and she gave way as usual before the searching blue eyes. One soft look, and her eyes fell away.
"I only thought it. Dr. Sandford, because in the beginning—when God had made everything—the Bible says he saw that it was all good."
"Daisy, how came you to be such a lover of the Bible?"
Daisy did not speak at once, and when she did it was a departure from the subject.
"Dr. Sandford, I felt a drop of rain on my face!"
"And here is another," said the doctor getting up. "This is what I have expected all day. Come, Daisy—you must be off in your chaise-à-porteurs without delay."
"But Nora, and Ella, and the boys!—they are away off on the lake."
"They will scuttle63 home now," said the doctor, "but I have nothing to do with them. You are my business, Daisy."
Accordingly he carried her back to the lunching place, not indeed in his arms, but with a strong hand that made her progress over the stones and moss very rapid, and that gave her a great flying leap whenever occasion was, over any obstacle that happened to be in the way. There was need enough for haste. The light veil of haze64 that had seemed to curtain off the sunlight so happily from the lake and the party, proved now to have been only the advancing soft border of an immense thick cloud coming up from the west. No light veil now; a deep, dark covering was over the face of the sky, without break or fold; the drop or two of rain that had been felt were merely the outriders of an approaching storm. Low threatening, distant mutterings of thunder from behind the mountains, told the party what they might expect before long.
There was sudden confusion. Nobody wanted to be out in the storm, and to avoid it seemed a difficult problem. Hastily the ladies caught up their scarfs and bags, and set off upon a scattering65 flight through the woods to the shore, those who were nearest or first ready not stopping to wait for the others. Quickly the luncheon ground was deserted66; fast the blue and white flutter of muslins disappeared in the enveloping67 woods; hastily the remainder of the packing went on to get the hampers again in readiness to move. In the midst of all this, who was to carry Daisy's chair?
"You say there is a house somewhere on the way," said Mr. Randolph to the doctor. "If you will go forward with Daisy at once, I will stay to look after those children in the boat. They are coming now as fast as they can."
"Can you carry my gun?"
"Certainly. Doctor, I will take that office, if you will stay behind till the boat gets to land."
"Thank you—it is better arranged the other way. The storm will be upon us before the ladies get to the shore, I fear."
"Then they had better take the other route."
Mr. Randolph in haste despatched one of the men to recall the fleeing members of the party, and bring them, round by the other road to the house. But before that, the doctor had put Daisy in her chair, and with Logan at the other end of it had set off to reach shelter. It grew very dark; and it was sultrily still in the woods. Not a leaf trembled on its stem. The steps of the two chair-bearers sounded ominously68 in the entire hush69 of everything. The gloom still deepened. The doctor and Logan with swift, steady strides carried the chair along at a goodly rate; not as it had come in the morning. In the midst of this, and after it had gone on some time in silence, Daisy twisted herself round to look at the doctor and give him a smile.
"You do not seem concerned, Daisy, in the view of getting wet?"
"Why no," said Daisy twisting round, again, "it is nice. I am only sorry for the people who are so frightened."
"What is nice? getting wet?"
"O no," said Daisy. "Maybe I shall not get wet—you go so fast."
But at this moment there came a nearer growl70 of thunder, and the leaves in the tops of the trees rustled71 as if a breath had passed over them. Then were still.
"Can you mend your pace, Logan?" said the doctor.
"Ay, sir!"—came in the deep, cheery utterance72 of Logan's Scotch73 voice.
"Hold fast, Daisy"—said the doctor; and the two chair-bearers changed their pace for a swinging trot74. It was needful to hold on now indeed, for this gait jolted75 the chair a good deal; but it got over the ground, and Daisy found it excessively amusing. They passed the thick-standing tree stems in quick succession now; the rocks uprising from the side of the path were left behind one after another; they reached the sharp bend in the road; and keeping up the swinging trot with a steadiness which shewed good wind on the part of both the chair-bearers, at last the little house where Sam had been left hove in view. Time it was; full time. One and another sough of the wind had bowed the tree-tops with a token of what was coming; one and another bright flash of lightning had illumined the woody wilderness76; and now just as the chair stopped, drops began to fall which seemed as large as cherry-stones, mingled with hail a good deal larger. Their patter sounded on the leaves a minute or two; then ceased.
"That will do, Logan," said the doctor. "Bring the chair in under shelter if you can; and come in yourself. This will be a shower." And he led Daisy into the house.
If ever you saw a dark-looking place, that was the room into which the house door admitted them. Two little windows seemed at this instant to let in the darkness rather than the light; they were not very clean, besides being small. A description which Daisy would have said applied77 to the whole room. She stood still in the middle of the floor, not seeing any place to sit down, that she could make up her mind to take. The doctor went to the window. Logan took a chair. Sam was sitting disconsolately78 in a corner. It was hard to say to what class of people the house belonged; poor people they were of course; and things looked as if they were simply living there because too poor to live anywhere else. A slatternly woman stared at the intruders; a dirty child crawled over the hearth79. Daisy could not endure to touch anything, except with the soles of her shoes. So she stood upright in the middle of the floor; till the doctor turned round.
"Daisy!—are you going to stand there till the shower is over?"
"Yes, sir,"—Daisy answered patiently. A smile curled the doctor's lips. He opened the door and lifted in the chair with its long poles, which indeed half filled the little room; but Daisy sat down. The woman looked on in astonishment80.
"Be she weakly, like?" she asked at length of the doctor.
"Has been—" he answered.
"And what be that thing for?"
"It is for going up and down mountains."
"Have you come from the mountings!" she asked in great surprise. The doctor was in for it. He was obliged to explain. Meanwhile the darkness continued and the rain did not yet fall. A breath of wind now and then brushed heavily past the house, and sunk into silence. The minutes passed.
"It will be a happiness if they get here before it begins," said Dr.
Sandford; "it will come when it comes!"
"Be there more comin'?" said the woman.
"A houseful. We are only the beginning."
She moved about now with somewhat of anxiety to get sundry81 things out of the way, which yet there seemed no other place for; a frying pan was set up in a corner; a broom took position by the fire place; a pail of water was lifted on the table; and divers82 knives and forks and platters hustled83 into a chimney cupboard. Little room enough when all was done. At last the woman caught up the sprawling84 baby and sat down with it opposite the broom, on the other side the fire, in one of the three chairs the place contained. Sam had another. Logan was on a box. The woman's eyes said, "Now I am ready to see all that comes."
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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verges
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| 边，边缘，界线( verge的名词复数 ) | |
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tablecloth
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| n.桌布，台布 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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somnolency
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| n.想睡，梦幻 | |
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hampers
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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vexing
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| adj.使人烦恼的，使人恼火的v.使烦恼( vex的现在分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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confidingly
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| adv.信任地 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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forfeits
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| 罚物游戏 | |
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trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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lichens
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| n.地衣( lichen的名词复数 ) | |
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lichen
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| n.地衣, 青苔 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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hemlocks
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| 由毒芹提取的毒药( hemlock的名词复数 ) | |
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maples
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| 槭树，枫树( maple的名词复数 )； 槭木 | |
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boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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mosses
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| n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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spores
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| n.（细菌、苔藓、蕨类植物）孢子( spore的名词复数 )v.（细菌、苔藓、蕨类植物）孢子( spore的第三人称单数 ) | |
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scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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frond
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| n.棕榈类植物的叶子 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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74
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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disconsolately
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| adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸 | |
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hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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81
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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82
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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83
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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84
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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