Humphrey Merton; Or, the Widow's Sons, by A.I.T.S. (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. 1872 Excerpt: ...fast into her dark grey eyes, "I wish he was like you." The rocky hardness which had been gathering round Janet's heart crumbled in the presence of Humphrey's kindness and goodness. She turned from him towards the fire. "Good-bye, Janet," he said, but heard no reply; and so he departed, sadder than he came, though relieved from the pressure of anxiety. When Humphrey told Janet he would come again soon, he made the promise sincerely, and would have kept it faithfully, but he could not foresee that an event was about to occur, that would have the effect of tying him to his duties at the farm, and render its fulfilment impossible. K&S31 to Janet, that Farmer Mortimer was standing on a ladder at the back of his house, training the vine, as was his wont, when one of the spokes of the ladder gave way, and he, being precipitated with violence to the ground, broke his leg. Great was the consternation on the farm and in the house, the servants flying hither and thither, jostling one another, and running after they knew not what. Two men, then at work in the farm-yard, carried Mr. Mortimer into the house, and laid him on his bed, from which he did not rise for many weeks after. The first to be sent for was the doctor, and the next, Humphrey Merton. Humphrey approached the bed-side of his master, near which Mrs. Mortimer and Lucy were standing, with his accustomed quiet manner, but with a sympathising, concerned expression of face befitting the occasion. Lucy, who was still trembling from head to foot, forgot, for the moment, that Humphrey was her lover, and that he had been brought once more into her immediate presence. To the exceptional circumstances it must also be attributed that Humphrey was saved, at least, from visible emotion. The farm...