Mistress Brent; A Story of Lord Baltimore's Colony in 1638 (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. 1901. Excerpt: ... MISTRESS BRENT i "? "SHE day is far too fine to remain within I doors " complained Mistress Brent, -"-as she moved restlessly from window to door; "come, put up thy 'broidery, Mary, and see the town." Her sister shook her fair head. "The town " she cried, and then laughed mockingly. "Yea, the town " declared Mistress Margaret, whose temper, never of the most even, was easily tried by tedious days indoors. "Faith, child, thou knowest not what some day it may be " "May be " "An thou mockest like a parrot, I will have none of thee " Mistress Brent walked quickly across the long living-room and flung open the door at the side. "Mistress Hawley " she called, imperiously. A tall, gracious woman with youth, yet steadfast dignity, written on her calm face was standing in the middle of the kitchen floor, gazing up to the rafters overhead, from which her winter's hoard was fast disappearing. She turned quickly and looked at Mistress Margaret with eyes so quiet and so kind that her slight temper passed as quickly as an April shower. "Thou art busy," she complained, as she went with quick movements to her side and wound her arm about Mistress Hawley's slender figure; "what is a ne'er-do-naught like me to do?" "Ne'er-do-naught," said Mistress Hawley, slowly; "I should ne'er have thought of thee as such; truly thou seemest one born for work." "And why?" cried Mistress Margaret, gleefully. "Gray eyes are not oft the sign of laziness," quoth Mistress Hawley, lightly. "But what is one to do? Mary is forever dawdling o'er her embroidery, or else prinking her dress, or gazing on her complexion which she declares the long sea-voyage hath ruined, and thou--" she shrugged her shoulders and looked about her. Here in this great kitchen was work enough for any good housewife's ha...