The surrender of the London house and of some of the chief expenses
were made conditions of such favours, and Griffith had assented
gratefully when alone with his father; but after an interview with
his wife, demonstrations were made that it was highly economical to
have a house in town, and horses, carriages, and servants and that
any change would be highly derogatory to the heir of Earlscombe and
the sacred wishes of the late Sir Henry Peacock.
In fact, it was impressed on us that we were mere homely,
countrified beings, who could not presume to dictate to her
ladyship, but who had ill requited her condescension in deigning to
beam upon us.
CHAPTER XXXVI--SLACK WATER
'O dinna look, ye prideful queen, on a' aneath your ken,
For he wha seems the farthest BUT aft wins the farthest BEN,
And whiles the doubie of the schule tak's lead of a' the rest:
The birdie sure to sing is the gorbal of the nest.
'The cauld, grey, misty morn aft brings a sunny summer day;
The tree wha's buds are latest is longest to decay;
The heart sair tried wi' sorrow still endures the sternest test:
The birdie sure to sing is the gorbal of the nest.
'The wee wee stern that glints in heaven may be a lowin' sun,
Though like a speck of light it seem amid the welkin dun;
The humblest sodger on the field may win a warrior's crest:
The birdie sure to sing is the gorbal of the nest.
Pages:
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315