A Stranger in A Strange Land Volume 1 (Book)

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. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...surprised to see her uncle already sitting at his desk, but with no book before him. He was leaning his head on his hand, and Nora at once detected the grieved expression on his face. ' " Uncle, dear, dear uncle," and all the flowers fell on the ground. " My little one." " You have slept badly, uncle? " "So so, my dear, quite so so; old people need little sleep." " You were thinking of me," whispered Nora remorsefully, "but you needn't be unhappy, for Ralph is, oh, so good and true, he will only be your new son, you know; but what have you there?--olI, uncle, how pretty." She had dragged his hand aside; under it lay a large gold locket. The old man watched her open it silently. For a moment she was puzzled, and then whispered doubtingly, " Mother? " "Yes, dear, yes. It was your mother when--when I first knew her." "VVhy did I never see it? Oh, how different it looks to mine," and Nora undid the locket round her neck and laid it beside the other. Yes, it was the same-face, but one was radiant with youth and joy, whilst hers was faded, aged, and worn. " Uncle." " Yes, dear," and the old man looked up into the childish face bending over him. " They are so different." " Yes, little one, yes; this," and he laid his hand upon the joyous face, " was before the flower was picked, and this, when the flower was cast away to die." For some minutes both were silent, then he went on in a hoarse strange whisper. " I was not always a dried up old book worm, child. Once, so long ago it seems now like another life altogether, I was young and hopeful and I loved, little one, ...