Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 25, 2025
And Ester answered simply and softly: Amen. Meanwhile the days moved on; the time fixed for Ester's return home had long passed, and yet she tarried in New York.
And Minnie Ester's darling, who never received other than loving words from her went gleefully off, leaving another heartburn to the weary girl. They stung her, those words: "Auntie Essie's cross, isn't she?" Back and forth, from dining-room to pantry, from pantry to dining-room, went the quick feet At last she spoke: "Maggie, leave the ironing and help me; it is time tea was ready."
How the blood rushed into Ester's cheeks as she struggled with her desire to either laugh or cry, she hardly knew which.
"Mother, say, mother," he continued, as his mother emerged from the pantry, "I don't see any thing of that hammer. I've looked every-where. Mother, can't I have one of Ester's cookies? I'm awful hungry." "Why, I guess so, if you are really suffering. Try again for the hammer, my boy; don't let a poor little hammer get the better of you."
Such a two weeks as the last had been in the Ried family! The entire household had joined in the commotion produced by Ester's projected visit. It was marvelous how much there was to do. Mrs. Ried toiled early and late, and made many quiet little sacrifices, in order that her daughter might not feel too keenly the difference between her own and her cousin's wardrobe.
After both heads were resting on their pillows, and quiet reigned in the room, Ester's eyes were wide open. Her Cousin Abbie had astonished her; she was totally unlike the Cousin Abbie of her dreams in every particular; in nothing more so than the strangely childlike matter-of-course way in which she talked about this matter of religion.
Ester's interest in him had been very strong ever since that evening of her arrival, when she had been appealed to to use her influence on him just in what way she hadn't an idea. Abbie had never spoken of it since, and seemed to have lost much of her eager desire that the cousins should meet. Ester mused about all this now; she wished she knew just in what way she was expected to be of benefit.
Then stopped before her with these mysterious words: "I don't know how to tell you, Ester." Ester's look now was one of annoyance, and she spoke quickly. "Why, Doctor, you need tell me nothing. I am not a child to have the truth sugar-coated. If my help is not needed, that is sufficient." "Your help is exactly what we need, Ester, but your health is not sufficient for the work."
Abbie clung to her, wanted her for various reasons; and the unselfish, pitying mother, far away, full of tender sympathy for the stricken bride, smothered a sigh of weariness, buried in her heart the thought of her own need of her eldest daughter's presence and help, and wrote a long, loving letter, jointly to the daughter and niece, wherein she gave her full consent to Ester's remaining away, so long as she could be a comfort to her cousin.
"You don't act in the least like a young lady who is to be married to-morrow," was Ester's answer, as she regarded her cousin with a half amused, half puzzled air. "Don't I?" said Abbie, trying to look alarmed. "What have I done now? I'm forever treading on bits of propriety, and crushing them. It will be a real relief to me when I am safely married, and can relapse into a common mortal again.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking