I tell thee, Martha, that at night, when
dreams come over me, as they sometimes will, and I see our Ruth wandering
in the forest, it is as a playful, laughing child, such as we knew her;
and even while waking, do I fancy my sister at my knee, as she was wont to
stand when listening to those idle tales with which we lightened our
childhood."
"But we had our birth in the same year and month--dost think of me too,
Mark, as one of that childish age?"
"Of thee! That cannot well be. Do I not see that thou art grown into the
condition of a woman, that thy little tresses of brown have become the
jet-black and flowing hair that becomes thy years, and that thou hast the
stature, and, I say it not in idleness of speech, Martha, for thou knowest
my tongue is no vain flatterer, but do I not see that thou hast grown into
all the excellence of a most comely maiden? But 'tis not thus, or rather
'twas not thus, with her we mourn; for till this hour have I ever pictured
my sister the little innocent we sported with, that gloomy night she was
snatched from our arms by the cruelty of the savage.
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