Читать книгу The Dark River онлайн

16 страница из 94

"Their name was McLeod in the English speech. Their little son's name was George."

"Te haamanao nei au! I saw them often as they passed this way, and never did they pass without coming in to greet me. I remember still the young woman's laughter as she tried to speak in our tongue. How pretty she was! And the poor husband, so soon to die!"

"You will not have forgotten how quickly the young wife followed him?"

"I remember well. It was at the time of the great storm. Were not you and the English girl alone at your house?"

"So it was," said Mauri.

The old woman shook her head sadly. "Ah, é. She was with child, and it came before its time--born dead. And the mother died as well."

"Mama Taio..."

"É. What would you say, Mauri?"

"The mother died, but her baby lived. She is living to-day. She is Naia."

"Mauri! You tell me..." The old woman broke off and stared blankly at her. "You tell me...?"

"It is true. Naia was her child, not mine. We were alone when the mother died, and none could know the truth. I have carried the secret till this moment. Now you must bear it with me."