How are we going to prize things if
nobody tells us anything about them? And here's the town going to
pieces over a celebration it hasn't sense enough to plan, just because
you're so obstinate. Oh, come along! Hear that! The boys are beginning
to toot, and fire off their crackers, and Tiverton's going to the dogs,
and Sudleigh'll be glad of it! Come, Mr. Oldfield, come along!"
Nicholas stood quite calmly looking through the window into the morning
dew and mist. He wore his habitual air of gentle indifference, and the
doctor saw in him those everlasting hills which persuasion may not
climb. Suddenly there was a rustling from the other room, and Mary
appeared in the doorway, standing there expectant. Her face was pink
and a little vague from sleep, but she looked very dear and good.
Though Nicholas had "lost himself" that night, he had kept time for
thought; and perhaps he realized how precious a thing it is to lay up
treasure of inheritance for one who loves us, and is truly of our kind.
He turned quite meekly to the doctor.
"Should you think," he inquired, "should you think pa'son would be up
an' dressed?"
Ten minutes thereafter, the two were knocking at the parson's door.
Confused and turbulent as Tiverton had become, Nicholas Oldfield
settled her at once.
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