The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth - A complete eBook in pages (170 / 300)

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The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth
Book, page 170 / 300

excellent breakfast. It was a FRESH morning, and there was a
pleasant fire on the hearth, neatly swept up. The old woman was
sitting in her chimney corner, behind a little skreen of
whitewashed wall, built out into the room, for the purpose of
keeping those who sat at the fire from the BLAST OF THE DOOR.
There was a loophole in this wall, to let the light in, just at
the height of a person's head, who was sitting near the chimney.
The rays of the morning sun now came through it, shining across
the face of the old woman, as she sat knitting; Lord Colambre
thought he had seldom seen a more agreeable countenance,
intelligent eyes, benevolent smile, a natural expression of
cheerfulness, subdued by age and misfortune.

'A good-morrow to you kindly, sir, and I hope you got the night
well?--A fine day for us this Sunday morning; my Grace is gone to
early prayers, so your honour will be content with an old woman
to make your breakfast. Oh, let me put in plenty, or it will
never be good; and if your honour takes stir-about, an old hand
will engage to make that to your liking, anyway; for, by great
happiness, we have what will just answer for you of the nicest
meal the miller made my Grace a compliment of, last time she went
to the mill.'

Lord Colambre observed, that this miller had good taste; and his
lordship paid some compliment to Grace's beauty, which the old
woman received with a smile, but turned off the conversation.
'Then,' said she, looking out of the window, 'is not that there a
nice little garden the boy dug for her and me, at his breakfast
and dinner hours? Ah! he's a good boy, and a good warrant to
work; and the good son DESARVES the good wife, and it's he that
will make the good husband; and with my goodwill he, and no
other, shall get her, and with her goodwill the same; and I bid
'em keep up their heart, and hope the best, for there's no use in
fearing the worst till it comes.'

Lord Colambre wished very much to know the worst.

'If you would not think a stranger impertinent for asking,' said
he, 'and if it would not be painful to you to explain.'

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