Ruth quietly busied herself among her women, and when the
recollection of those who were scouring the neighboring forest came at all
to her mind, it was coupled with the care with which she was providing to
administer to their comforts after the fatigue of a day of extraordinary
personal efforts. This was a duty never lightly performed. Her situation
was one eminently fitted to foster the best affections of woman, since it
admitted of few temptations to yield to other than the most natural
feeling; she was, in consequence, known on all occasions to exercise them
with the devotedness of her sex.
"Thy father and his companions will look on our care with pleasure," said
the thoughtful matron to her youthful image, as she directed a more than
usual provision of her larder to be got in readiness for the hunters;
"home is ever sweetest after toil and exposure."
"I doubt if Mark be not ready to faint with so weary a march," said the
child already introduced by the name of Martha; "he is young to go into
the woods, with scouters tall as great Dudley.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194