Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/42

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38
THE AUTHOR'S DAUGHTER.

skill, so ye needna be at the fash of writing neither, Mrs. Hammond," said Mrs. Lindsay.

Mrs. Hammond was not accustomed to be looked on with scorn. It is probable that she did not even go to say good-bye to the girl, but Mr. Hammond could not leave without having another look at the orphan. He wanted to say that he was glad she had met with some kind friends in the Lindsays, and to advise her to try to be happy with them, but the words stuck in his throat. He felt it was a very different kind of society from what she had been accustomed to, and he felt that he had no right to offer any advice. He might do something for her yet if he only could bring Mrs. Hammond to reason, so he only said good night and left her.

When the Hammonds had driven off in the moonlight, Mrs. Lindsay broke forth—

"Well, if I ever in my life saw such an upsetting, cold-blooded, hard-hearted woman! Is that what they all call manners? I dare say she was feared that if she was civil we might claim acquaintance with her. Visit her indeed! I'd rather die on the high road than beg at her house for a bit of bread."

"You're hasty, good wife," said Mr. Lindsay, "I'll no deny that her ways are most aggravating, and most uncivil, and the way she turned up her