"
While Parson Dan was thus enduring with considerable patience his
wearisome visitor, Rodney was creeping about the kitchen floor in a
most lively manner. The dining-room door was ajar, and at last when
Mrs. Royal's back was turned, he reached forth a small chubby hand,
opened the door and entered. The parson saw him, but paid no attention
to his movements. Mrs. Marden, however, who was sitting with her back
to the door, was so occupied with her load of troubles that she neither
saw nor heard the baby's entrance. On all-fours Rodney glided behind
the widow's chair. Here against the wall stood a tall, slender
cabinet, the lower shelves of which were filled with books, while above
were various knick-knacks, all neatly arranged. It took Rodney but a
second to scramble to his feet, and balance himself by clutching firmly
at the cabinet which was not fastened to the wall. Then the inevitable
happened. The cabinet at first trembled, and then began to fall.
Parson Dan saw it coming, and with a cry he leaped to his feet, and
caught it as it was about to crash upon Mrs. Marden's head. He could
not, however, stop the knick-knacks, and so tea-cups, saucers,
work-basket, a china dog, and numerous other articles were showered
upon the widow, thus adding to her woes.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43