Douglass Farm Volume 1858; Juvenile Story of Life in Virginia (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. 1858 Excerpt: ...would pain and distress her if she were in our midst. Your plan carried out, would almost break her heart, Laurie." "There would be no need for such a plan, if she were here," he murmured gloomily. "Then let her memory be powerful as her presence to prevent the need of it now," Miriam pleaded. "Dear Laurie, for mother's sake, promise me " "After all, what am I to promise?" Laurence said irresolutely. "That I will stay at home, when perhaps I shall not be allowed to stay J For in spite of all his calmness with me, I do not believe that father has forgiven, any more than he has forgotten, my going away as I did. Perhaps for a punishment he will send me off now, himself I know it cannot be long before I am called to account for it in some way." This was a new fear to Miriam, and it struck a sudden chill to her heart. In her eager pleading to prevent Laurence's action, she had forgotten to think what might be her father's course; but now she could not but acknowledge that it would be impossible for him to pass over in silence so open and wilful a contempt of his authority. What would he do? She trembled at the thought of his power, and how he might use it; but she would not let her brother see how anxious and disturbed she really felt. She answered quietly, "Never mind that, Laurie, now; that is done, and cannot be recalled, so we must take the consequences, whatever they may be. If father is harsh and unkind, you must bear it patiently, because you have done wrong. Only promise me, not for any temptation, to do the same wrong thing again." "I do not see it to be such a wicked thing as you seem to think, Minnie;" Laurence replied, rising to go. "And it isn't very clear to me how I ...