"That's right; pretty Poll, nice Poll! Cheer up, cheer up!" she rattled
off, looking, through all these merry outbursts, so unutterably solemn,
that the effect was ludicrous in the extreme.
"Silly thing!" said Sara, wiping her eyes. "She always will be heard;
but while I think of it, I must tell you how I've enjoyed your 'Studies
in Russia' that you lent me, Miss Prue. It must be fine to travel and
see the world!"
"Yes; and it's decidedly comfortable, too, to sit by a good fire and see
it through other people's eyes, Sara. These thrilling adventures, these
close shaves from shipwreck, fire, frost, and robbery, are much
pleasanter to read about than to realize, I imagine. Do you know, I
always feel like adding a special thanksgiving for books to my daily
prayer. What _would_ my lonely life be without them?"
Sara's eyes kindled.
"I've felt so, too, Miss Prue; and another for you, because you have
helped me to enjoy so many!"
"All right, my dear, remember me in every prayer, if you will. It's
doubtless better thanks than I deserve, but I won't refuse anything so
good; and now what shall it be to-day, more Russia?"
"You said something about one,--'A Trip through Siberia,' wasn't it?"
"Oh, yes!"
The elder woman stepped across the room, and opened a glass door
screened by a thick red curtain, thus displaying several book-shelves
thickly packed, from which she selected the volume named; then handing
it to Sara, who had risen to depart, said gently,--
"My dear, I don't like that little line between your eyes; it looks like
discontent; or is it only study?"
Sara flushed.
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