The Linton Family; Or, the Fashion of This World (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ... THE LIGHT OF THE COTTAGE GOES OUT. Half waking and half sleeping, the next morning, I was indistinctly aware, for a long time, of a sawing of boards in the little workshop behind the kitchen, and at length became aroused sufficiently to feel satisfied that some unusual work was going on there. It was daylight too, which was a sure indication that it was time for me to be up, and about my morning duties. When I descended to the kitchen, and looked into the workshop, there, to be sure, was Walter, with Uncle Dan for an assistant, busily engaged in making a set of stairs, intended, as I afterwards found, to facilitate the access to the loft. They were rough certainly, and very narrow and steep, for there was little room for stair-way in the cottage; but still they were better than the ladder. "I am making you a stair-case, Grace," said he; "It is too bad for you to have to climb that ladder, every time you go to your room." I said, "Thank you, Walter, but I have climbed it long enough to have become quite expert by this time." I would have been glad if he had been so considerate for my comfort, before Gabrielle came. I thought I would not disturb Gabrielle this morning as she was so tired after her journey, but before breakfast was ready, I heard her calling--"Oh, Gwace, I cannot get down Send Walter here to help me, do " Walter was at the foot of the ladder in a moment. "Oh, Walter, come up, and give me your two hands, and help me down How must I go, Walter? backward?" And with a repetition of the pretty little screams and exclamations of the night before, the perilous descent was safely accomplished. She had on a neat, pretty buff morning-dress, and looked more charming, if possible, than the night before. But, in fact, everything this...