The Mother (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...expression of contempt and his grandmother took him to task. "You want for everybody to be cut out in your own pattern," she said. "Tis so narrow and silly, I'm sure. A fiery sort of world and cruel unrestful to live in, if all was like you." "'Twould be living anyway," he answered. "I'd sooner smart sometimes, as God knows I have done, than never smart. Life's a tingling business with me. It rubs against me and it's good or bad--never neither one nor t'other, like with Arthur Brown. The man don't know he is alive " That night Ives talked along with his mother, bewailed the wrongs of Jill and tried to win some expression of opinion from Avisa. She was cautious and sympathetic. She guessed pretty correctly what had set his blood on fire, and felt no anger at the fact. Her only sorrow and care was that this woman had strength still to waken his hunger, and that it was not another who had done so. She felt uneasy concerning the future; and for the present she felt powerless. The trend of her son's existence was towards betterment, and there she left the matter. His mind steadily enlarged; his views were tinctured by more knowledge and understanding. For the rest he continued his unequal and uncertain way. Upon one glad occasion, treasured in the mother's heart, young Pomeroy had openly admitted that there was more in Ruth Rendle than at one time he had imagined. She accepted the concession with immense secret satisfaction, but was careful to reveal none of her hidden delight. As for the plan that Ruth should come to Vixen Tor presently, Ives made no objection at all. Since Lizzie had left, too much work fell on Avisa, and she would not engage a servant. Therefore her son was glad when Ruth promised to come. He...