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Helen by Maria Edgeworth
Book, page 421 / 460


mind--of that truly Christian spirit which hopeth all things. When she was
a child somebody asked her if she was bred up in the fear of the Lord. She
said no, but in the love of God. And so she was, in that love which casteth
out fear. And now the mildness of her piety, and the whole tone and manner
of her speaking and thinking, reminded Helen of that good dear uncle by
whom she had been educated. She listened with affectionate reverence, and
she truly and simply said, "You do me good--I think you have done me a
great deal of good--and you shall see it." And she did see it afterwards,
and Miss Clarendon thought it was her doing, and so her aunt let it pass,
and was only glad the good was done.

The first day Helen went down to the drawing-room, she found there a man
who looked, as she thought at first glance, like a tradesman--some person,
she supposed, come on business, standing waiting for Miss Clarendon, or
Mrs. Pennant. She scarcely looked at him, but passed on to the sofa, beside
which was a little table set for her, and on it a beautiful work-box, which
she began to examine and admire.

"Not nigh so handsome as I could have wished it, then, for you, Miss
Helen--I ask pardon, Miss Stanley."

Helen looked up, surprised at hearing herself addressed by one whom she had
thought a stranger; but yet she knew the voice, and a reminiscence came
across her mind of having seen him somewhere before.

"Old David Price, ma'am. Maybe you forget him, you being a child at that
time. But since you grew up, you have been the saving of me and many
more----" Stepping quite close to her, he whispered that he had been paid
under her goodness's order by Mr. James, along with _the other creditors_
that had been _left_.

Helen by this time recollected who the poor Welshman was--an upholsterer
and cabinet-maker, who had been years before employed at the Deanery. Never
having been paid at the time, a very considerable debt had accumulated,
and having neither note nor bond, Price said that he had despaired of ever
obtaining the amount of his earnings. He had, however, since the dean's
death, been paid in full, and had been able to retire to his native
village, which happened to be near Llansillen, and most grateful he was;
and as soon as he perceived that he was recognised, his gratitude became
better able to express itself. Not well, however, could it make its way out

 
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