Читать книгу Charles Peace, or The Adventures of a Notorious Burglar онлайн

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Nevertheless, she does not complain—​does not for a moment admit that she is otherwise than in her wonted health.

Those about her, however, are of a different opinion. The Ashbrooks shake their heads. Miss Ashbrook, in answer to her brother’s questions, murmurs, “Fading away.”

“Poor girl, she cannot forget the past, and, to say the truth, it be no wonder,” said the farmer’s sister on more than one occasion, when the question was discussed.

“This is an upright straight for’ard good gell!” exclaimed Richard Ashbrook. “That what she be, and I donna’ like to see her thus. Ye must do your best, Maude, to cheer her up.”

“I ha’ done so, many and many a time.”

“Ah! that be but right and proper. I cannot see why she should take on so. The past be passed away, it canna’ be recalled. But ha’ left its traces behind—​any one on us can see that,” observes John Ashbrook. “Let the lass alone—​maybe she’ll get over it after a bit.”

But the getting over it did not seem so easy as the good-natured farmer might wish.