A Bachelor's Reverie [pp. 601-609]

not shoot out tendrils into barren world-soil and Thanksgiving! Press the hand thatlies light upon
suck up thence strengthening nutriment. They your arm, and you too, thank God, while yet you
have grown under the forcing glass of hpme-roof, may!
they will not now bear exposure.,, *,
You do not now look men in the face as if a
heart-bond was linking you-asif a community You are early home-mid-afternoon. Your
of feeling lay between. TIhere is a heart-bond step is not light; it is heavy, terrible. They have
that absorbs all others; there is a community sent for you.
that monopolizes your feeling. When the heart Shie is lying down; her eyes half closed; her
lay wide open, before it had grown upon, and breathing long and interrupted.
closed around particular objects, it could take She hears you; her eye opens; you put your
strength and cheer from a hundred connections hand in hers; yours trembles, hers does not.
that now seem colder than ice. Her lips move; it is your name.
And now those particular objectsalas for "Be strong," she says, "God will help you!"
Adyouw tare failing. o,ecsasfrShe presses harder your hand:-" Adieu!"
What anxiety pursues you! fowl you struggle A long breath-another; you are alone again!
to fancy-there is no danger; how she struggles No tears now; poor man! You cannot find them!
to pursuade you-there is no danger h! setuAgain home early. There is a smell of var How it grates now on your ear-the toil and nish in your house. A coffin is there; they have
turmoil of the city! It was lmusic when you clothed the body in decent grave clothes, and the
were alone; it:vWas pleasant even, when from undertaker is screwing down the lid, slipping
the din, you were elaborating comforts for the round on tip-toe. Does he fear to waken her?
cherished objects —when you had such sweet es- He asks you a simtple question about the incape as evening drew on. scription upon the plate, rubbing it with his coat
Now it maddens you to see the world careless cuff. You look him straight in the eye; you
while you are steeped in care. They hustle you motion to the door; you dare not speak.
in the street; they smile at you across the table; He takes up his hat and glides out stealthful as
they bow carelessly over the way; they do not a cat.
know what canker is at your heart. The man has done his work well, for all. It is
The undertaker comes with his bill for the a nice coffin-a very nice coffin! Pass your
dead boy's funeral. He knows your grief; he is hand over it-how smooth!
respectful. You bless him in your soul. You wish Some sprigs of mignlionette are lying carelessthe laughing street-goers were all undertakers. ly in a little gilt edged saucer. She loved mig Your eye follows the physician as he leaves nionette.
your house: is he wise, you ask yourself; is he It is a good stanch table the coffin rests on;prudent? is he the best? Did he never fail-is it is your table; you are a house-keeper-a man
he never forgetful? of family!
And now the hand that touches yours, is it no Aye, of family!-keep down outcry, or the
thinner-no whiter than yesterday? Sunny (lays nurse will be in. Look over at the piiiched feacome when she revives; colour comes back; she tures; is this all that is leit of her! And where
breathes freer; she picks flowers; she meets is your heart now! No, don't thrust your nails
you with a smnile: hope lives again. into your hands, nor managle your lip, nor grate
But the next day of storm she is fallen. She your teeth together. If you could only weep!
cannot talk even; she presses your hand. - Another day. Thecoffinis goneout.'the
You hurry away from business before your stupid mourners have wept-what idle tears!
time. What matter for clients-who is to reap She, with your crushed heart, is gone out!
the rewards? What matter for fame-whose eye Will you have pleasant evenings at your home
will it brighten? What matter for riches-whose now?
is the inheritance? Go into your parlor that your prim house You find her propped with pillows; she is keeper has made comfortable with clean hearth
looking over a little picture book bethumbed by and blaze of sticks.
the dear boy she has lost. She hides it in her Sit down in your chair; there is another velchair; she has pity on you. vet cushioned one, over against yours, empty.
Another day of revival, when the spring sun You press your fingers on your eye-balls, as if
shines, and flowers open out of doors; she leans you would press out something that hurt the
on your arm, and strolls into the garden where brain; but you cannot. Your head leans upon
the first birds are singing. Listen to them with your hand; your eyes rest upon She flashing
her;-what memories are in bird-songs! Yout blaze.
need not shudder at her tears-they are tears of} Ashes always come after blaze.
608
A Bachelor's Reverie.
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