George MacDonald

Adela Cathcart George MacDonald

"It was resolved that on the same evening, Chrissy should tell my uncle her story. We wentout for a walk together; and though she was not afraid to go, the least thing startled her. Avoice behind her would make her turn pale and look hurriedly round. Then she wouldsmile again, even before the colour had had time to come back to her cheeks, and say-'What a goose I am! But it is no wonder.' I could see too that she looked down at her niceclothes now and then with satisfaction. She does not like me to say so, but she does notdeny it either, for Chrissy can't tell a story even about her own feelings. My uncle had givenus five pounds each to spend, and that was jolly. We bought each other such a lot of things, besides some for other people. And then we came home and had dinner tete-a-tete in myuncle's dining-room; after which we went up to my uncle's room, and sat over the fire inthe twilight till his afternoon-nap was over, and he was ready for his tea. This was ready forhim by the time he awoke. Chrissy got up on the bed beside him; I got up at the foot of thebed, facing her, and we had the tea-tray and plenty of etceteras between us."'Oh! I am happy!' said Chrissy, and began to cry."'So am I, my darling!' rejoined Uncle Peter, and followed her example."'So am I, ' said I, 'but I don't mean to cry about it.' And then I did."We all had one cup of tea, and some bread and butter in silence after this. But whenChrissy had poured out the second cup for Uncle Peter, she began of her own accord to tellus her story."'It was very foggy when we came out of school that afternoon, as you may remember, dearuncle.'"'Indeed I do, ' answered Uncle Peter with a si