Francis's invitation to enter, opened the door and
said:
"Mrs. Francis, would it not be well for Pearl to have a
lunch before she starts for her walk into the country;
the air is so exhilarating, you know."
"How thoughtful you are, Camilla!" Mrs. Francis exclaimed
with honest admiration.
Thus it happened that Pearlie Watson, aged twelve, began
her journey into the big unknown world, fully satisfied
in body and soul, and with a great love for all the world.
At the corner of the street stood Mrs. McGuire, and at
sight of her Pearl's heart stopped beating.
"It's bad luck," she said. "I'd as lief have a rabbit
cross me path as her."
But she walked bravely forward with no outward sign of
her inward trembling.
"Goin' to Sam Motherwell's, are ye?" the old lady asked
shrilly.
"Yes'm," Pearl said, trembling.
"She's a tarter; she's a skinner; she's a damner; that's
what she is. She's my own first cousin and I know HER.
Sass her; that's the only way to get along with her. Tell
her I said so. Here, child, rub yer j'ints with this when
ye git stiff." She handed Pearl a black bottle of home-made
liniment.
Pearl thanked her and hurried on, but at the next turn
of the street she met Danny.
Danny was in tears; Danny wasn't going to let Pearlie go
away; Danny would run away and get lost and runned over
and drownded, now! Pearl's heart melted, and sitting on
the sidewalk she took Danny in her arms, and they cried
together.
Pages:
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101