From Ailenroc’s Book, by Cornelia Alexander
“Matilda,” said Mr. Sanders, putting his head in at the kitchen door, “Brother Grice and Brother Lee, from Bumbleton, are here, and will remain to dinner.”
Mr. Sanders was a preacher, who preached at Bumbleton once a month; Matilda was his wife.
“Mercy on me!” she said, staring at him; but in a moment her gaze wandered past him across the field—still farther. She was wondering what she would have for dinner.
“Well,” said Mr. Sanders, fidgeting about the door, “they are in the sitting room, and I must go back. It is ten o’clock, Matilda.”
“I know,” she said, trying to smile. “I’ll have dinner on time; never fear. Go back to your company.”
He looked back as he turned to go, saying, in a hesitating sort of way: “You—you can make out, Matilda.”
“I think so,” she answered. “Did I ever fail?” Read More