FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67  
68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   >>   >|  
irk. Jessie looked a good deal scandalised at this faint praise; but it was much from Master Robert, if she had but known all. Then the question was started whether John would ever preach as well; and John had to pay the usual penalty of listeners, for all agreed that this was not to be thought of, at least, not for a long time to come. This was the beginning of more frequent intercourse between Lilias and Archie and the manse children. Lilias was not often with them at first, for the "harvest-play" of the village children did not come so soon as the town-boys' holidays, and she could seldom be prevailed upon to leave her aunt alone in the school. But Archie's company soon became indispensable to the lads in their daily rambles among the hills. He had explored the country to some purpose; and not even the manse boys knew so many places of interest as he did, and he was often their leader in their long excursions. It was a point of honour with Archie never to confess that he was tired while he could stand; and it was only a fortunate chance that prevented these long-continued wanderings from being an injury to him. They went one day to the top of the highest hill in the neighbourhood. Archie, as usual, led the way; and they had got well on their return, when he was obliged to confess to himself (though not to his companions) that he could go no farther. They had just left the hills, and stood on the turnpike-road between Dunmoor and Kirklands, the other lads to go to the manse, and Archie to go home, a good two miles away yet. It seemed to him that he never could go so far; and, only waiting till the other lads were out of sight, he threw himself down on the grass at the roadside, utterly exhausted. The sound of wheels startled him in a little time, and soon John Graham, in the manse gig, made his appearance. He drew up at the sight of Archie, and, in some surprise, asked him what ailed him. "Nothing," said Archie, rising painfully. "We have been at the head of the Colla Hill; and I'm afraid I'm tired: that's all." "And that's enough, I think," said John; for the lad's limbs were trembling under him. "Really, these lads are very inconsiderate. You should not have let them lead you such a chase." "It was me that led them," said Archie,--not exactly liking Master John's tone. "And I'll soon be rested again." But the horse's head was already turned, and John's strong arm lifted the weary boy to
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67  
68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Archie

 

children

 

confess

 

Lilias

 

Master

 

utterly

 

rested

 

exhausted

 

roadside

 

turned


lifted
 

turnpike

 

Dunmoor

 
Kirklands
 

wheels

 

strong

 

waiting

 

Graham

 
farther
 

afraid


inconsiderate

 

Really

 
trembling
 

painfully

 

surprise

 
appearance
 

liking

 

rising

 

Nothing

 

startled


fortunate
 

frequent

 
intercourse
 
harvest
 

beginning

 

thought

 

village

 

prevailed

 

holidays

 

seldom


agreed
 

listeners

 

praise

 

Robert

 
scandalised
 

Jessie

 

looked

 

preach

 

penalty

 
question