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Updated: May 23, 2025
"He has been shot." The parson looked up into the girl's face. Then followed a pause. Sarah Gurridge and Prudence's mother stole softly in and approached the bedside. The former carried a tumbler of brandy in her hand and came to Mr. Danvers's side; Mrs. Malling ranged herself beside her daughter, but the latter paid no heed to her.
Prudence and Alice Gordon were at the table, which was covered by a litter of tweed dress material and paper patterns. Prudence was struggling with a maze of skirt-folds, under which a sewing-machine was almost buried. Alice was cutting and pinning and basting seams at the other end of the table. Sarah Gurridge was standing beside the open window watching the rising of the storm.
He was engaged in a pretence at conversation with Sarah Gurridge, but, to judge by the expression of his face, his temper was still sulky or his thoughts were far away. The moment Iredale entered the room Grey's face lit up with something like interest. Prudence, accompanying the rancher, was quick to observe the change.
Now, as Alice approached the front door again, she heard the sound of high-pitched voices coming from the kitchen. Sarah Gurridge had come over while the farm-wife's rage was at its height; and, as Alice listened, she thought that these two old cronies were quarrelling. But her ears quickly told her that her surmise was wrong.
She had listened to the precepts of Sarah Gurridge all her life, and, in consequence, she had learned to regard her duty before all things. She now conceived she had a great duty to perform. She felt so helpless so feeble in the matter; but the voice of conscience held her to her mistaken course. "I believe I love you; I am sure I care for you very, very much, but " "Then you will marry me."
One was the widow of the late Silas Malling, and the other was the school-ma'am from the Leonville school-house. This good lady rejoiced in the name of Gurridge, and Mrs. Gurridge was the oldest friend of Hephzibah Malling, a fact which spoke highly for the former good dame's many excellent qualities. Hephzibah was not a woman to set her affections on her sex without good reason.
George Iredale again became a constant and welcome visitor at the farm, nor in her leisure did Sarah Gurridge seek relaxation in any other direction. The morning was well advanced. The air was still and very hot.
"Good-bye," he exclaimed shortly, and the door closed sharply behind him. "Why, Prudence," said Mrs. Malling, turning her round laughing face to her daughter and indicating the door. "Aren't you " "No, I'm not, mother dear," the girl answered with a forced laugh. Sarah Gurridge patted her late pupil's shoulder affectionately.
Sarah Gurridge leaned towards her companion with a confidential movement of the head. The two grey heads came close together. The school-ma'am whispered impressively "'Maid who angers faithful swain Will shed more tears and know mere pain Than she who loves and loves in vain." Hephzibah laughed tolerantly. Sarah's earnestness never failed to amuse her.
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