Ruby's Reward — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

“Tt is true, we never knew how willful she could be until fortune tried to clip her wings;” continued Mr, Gordon, playfully, ‘‘but they wouldn’t stay clipped, Her only grew the faster and she has soared the igher.” “Fie, Robert! He is only talking nonsense, Mr, Carpenter,” Ruby retorted, shaking her headin mock displeasure at her brother. ‘I have simply tried to be sensible and helpful, since we lost our money, and Robert is trying to make out that I have done some- thing wonderful, There came an energetic ring at the door bell just then, and ‘a gentleman to see Mr. Gordon on busi- negs’” was announced. Mr. Gordon took him into the dining-room, and soon after Mrs. Gordon excused herself and went up to her room, Thus the cheerful circle was broken up, and Mr, Carpenter and Ruby were left to entertain each other, greatly to the discomfiture of the latter. “Are you not afraid that teaching will be too much for your strength, Miss Ruby?” her companion asked, as he drew his chair still nearer and assumed a confidential attitude. “Not a bit; I like it,” she answered, decidedly, and continued to ply her needle vigorously, “Tt may be a novel experience Just for the present; but itis sure to wear upon you.” “J do not think so; the exercise and employment are just what Ineed. Iam growing stronger every day, both physically and mentally. “But itissoentirely differentfrom the life to which you have been accustomed. It must be yery mo- notonous.”’ “No, indeed, it is far from that, and I tind plenty to do to Keep my ideas sharp enough for the bright girls and boys in my Classes. Of course it is very different from my tormer mode of life,” sle con- pase vig a slight bk of her re lips, ‘and [ ayn glad that it is so, . Carpenter. rave_b a, ume- less piece of humanity long enough.” cottticothes:€6rm