"Mummy," said Rachel, "I do believe Mary is reading aloud."
"Is she, darling? Yes, I think she is."
Through the kitchen door one could hear a monotonous murmur.
"D'you think she's reading fairy tales?"
"Perhaps. Would you like to listen to her?"
"Oh, no. I'd sooner stay and help you, Mummy."
"Then so you shall, my angel; and I thank you for preferring my
company."
Mavis, with the little girl at her knee, got to work. She had
purchased a large scrap-album, and was now to begin putting in her
scraps. For a long time she had collected interesting extracts from
the newspapers, more especially portions of old numbers of the
_Rodhaven Courier_ which contained her husband's name.
"Here, Rachel, we'll commence with this;" and she started the book
with a long account of the ceremonial opening of the Barradine
Orphanage. The report of a speech by "Mr. Dale of Vine-Pits Farm" at a
political meeting was the second item, and other gems followed fast.
Rachel assisted from time to time, by twice upsetting the paste pot,
tearing a good many cuttings, and finally by tilting the heavy album
off Mummy's lap to the floor.
But Mavis thought all these actions rather spirited and charming than
maladroit and annoying.
Pages:
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254