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〃He took no shelter。 Would to God he had！〃
〃O！ would to God！ would to God！〃 shrieked out Eleanor； learning all
from the woful import of those dreary eyes。 Her cries thrilled
through the house； the children's piping wailings and passionate
cries on 〃Daddy！ Daddy！〃 pierced into Susan's very marrow。 But she
remained as still and tearless as the great round face upon the
clock。
At last； in a lull of crying； she said；not exactly questioning； but
as if partly to herself …
〃You loved him； then？〃
〃Loved him！ he was my husband！ He was the father of three bonny
bairns that lie dead in Grasmere churchyard。 I wish you'd go； Susan
Dixon； and let me weep without your watching me！ I wish you'd never
come near the place。〃
〃Alas！ alas！ it would not have brought him to life。 I would have
laid down my own to save his。 My life has been so very sad！ No one
would have cared if I had died。 Alas！ alas！〃
The tone in which she said this was so utterly mournful and
despairing that it awed Nelly into quiet for a time。 But by…and…by
she said； 〃I would not turn a dog out to do it harm； but the night is
clear； and Tommy shall guide you to the Red Cow。 But； oh； I want to
be alone！ If you'll come back to…morrow； I'll be better； and I'll
hear all； and thank you for every kindness you have shown him；and I
do believe you've showed him kindness；though I don't know why。〃
Susan moved heavily and strangely。
She said somethingher words came thick and unintelligible。 She had
had a paralytic stroke since she had last spoken。 She could not go；
even if she would。 Nor did Eleanor； when she became aware of the
state of the case； wish her to leave。 She had her laid on her own
bed； and weeping silently all the while for her lest husband； she
nursed Susan like a sister。 She did not know what her guest's
worldly position might be； and she might never be repaid。 But she
sold many a little trifle to purchase such small comforts as Susan
needed。 Susan； lying still and motionless； learnt much。 It was not
a severe stroke； it might be the forerunner of others yet to come；
but at some distance of time。 But for the present she recovered； and
regained much of her former health。 On her sick…bed she matured her
plans。 When she returned to Yew Nook； she took Michael Hurst's widow
and children with her to live there； and fill up the haunted hearth
with living forms that should banish the ghosts。
And so it fell out that the latter days of Susan Dixon's life were
better than the former。
End