That Lass O'Lowrie's by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Author:Frances Hodgson Burnett [Burnett, Frances Hodgson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Klassiker
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2017-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE Sunday following the curate's visit to Lowrie's cottage, just before the opening of the morning service at St. Michael's, Joan Lowrie entered, and walking up the side aisle, took her place among the free seats. The respectable church members turned to look at her as she passed their pews. On her part she seemed to see nobody and to hear nothing of the rustlings of the genteel garments stirred by the momentary excitement caused by her appearance.

The curate, taking his stand in the pulpit that morning, saw, after the first moment, only two faces among his congregation. One, from among the old men and women in the free seats, looked up at him with questioning in its deep eyes, as if its owner had brought to him a solemn problem to be solved this very hour, or for ever left at rest; the other, turned towards him from the Barholm pew, alight with appeal and trust. He stood in sore need of the aid he asked for in his silent opening prayer.

Some of his flock who were somewhat prone to underrate his powers at times were moved to a novel comprehension of them this morning. The more appreciative went home, saying among themselves that the young man had power after all, and for once at least he had preached with uncommon fire and pathos. His text was a brief one – but three words – the three words Joan had read, beneath the picture of the dead Christ – "It is finished!"

If it was chance that led him to them to-day, it was a strange and fortunate chance, and surely he had never preached as he preached this time.

When he ended, the woman sitting next to Joan heard a heavy sigh fall from her lips, and then the girl rose and passed from her place to the door, with her eyelids downcast. Anice looked for her in vain; she had gone before the rest of the congregation.

But in the evening, being out in the garden near the holly hedge, Anice heard her name spoken, and glancing over the leafy barrier, saw Joan standing on the side path just as she had seen her the first time they had spoken to each other.

"I ha' na a minnit to stay," she said, without any prelude, "but I ha' summat to say to yo'."

Her manner was quiet, and her face wore a softened pallor. Even her physical power seemed for a time to appear subdued. And yet she looked steady and resolved.

"I wur at church this mornin'," she began again almost immediately.

"I saw you," Anice answered.

She made a little motion of the head.

"I wur nivver theer before. I went to see fur mysen. I ha' read the book yo' gi' me, an' theer's things in it as I nivver heerd on. Mester Grace too – he coom to see me an' I axt him questions. Theer wur things as I wanted to know, an' now it seems loike it looks clearer.

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