Gratia's Trials — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 GRATIA’S TRIALS. monthly rose in the kitchen window that had once been her mother’s petand pride. She had not judged it best to take Ray- mond with her ; but Miss Bassett opined sweetly, that ‘a little walk would do the darling good—she, for one, didn’t believe in overmuch cosseting !” And Raymond was tired and cross, and Gratia had to carry him nearly all the way home in her slender arms, so that when they reached the farm fence she was heartily rejoiced. ‘Who is that coming out of the door ?” she exclaimed. ‘‘An old gentleman !” ‘It’s the minister !”’ said Raymond. ‘“ Nonsense !” cried Gratia. ‘‘ What should the minister be coming to our house for on Sunday afternoon ?” She quickened her footsteps as she spoke. ‘¢ Yes, it zs the minister,” she added. ‘‘ Perhaps he has come to see why we are not more regular in our attendance at church. I cannot tell him it is because Almira Bassett makes me stay at home and cook the dinner.” Old Mr. Vaughan was well out of sight before Gratia entered the kitchen. ‘There were no lights yet, but the blazing logs gave a sufficient illumination to the room. Mr. Kempfield was leaning over his cousin Almira’s chair, holding her hand ; Gratia looked from one to the other in astonishment ‘“Raymond,” said the farmer, avoiding the reproachful light- ning of his daughters glance, ‘‘come here and kiss your new mamma !” Raymond stood still in amazement. ‘‘Mamma is dead,” he said. ‘*‘ Mamma is in the church- yard !” | ‘‘Yes, darling,” said Almira, sweetly ; but that was your old mamma. / am your mother now, you sweet precious !” ““Must I call you mamma?” asked the child, doubt- fully. Gomichbooks.¢co =)