Sarah's first start in life

by Adelaide M. G. Campbell

When Sarah and Dick appeared, there was a general silence, and as she went into the house many of her former friends tried to say a few sympathetic words and press her hand.

Sarah tried to thank them, but only tears would come, and she hurried upstairs to comfort her unhappy father. Mr. Brown silently held out his hand in welcome and sobbed bitterly, whilst Dick remained below, not knowing whether to go in or stay outside. However, he at last went into the house and found, as he expected, Sarah and her father taking their last silent farewell at their loved one's bedside.

The days that followed were naturally very sad, and Sarah was thankful there was so much to be done, knowing that there would be only too much time for brooding afterwards.

The funeral took place three days after Sarah's return home, and, although Sarah followed the beautiful service as attentively as she was able, her heart was too sorrowful to receive so much comfort from it as is possible. A great many of the neighbours attended to show this last mark of respect to their dead friend. Mrs. Carrol had offered on the way back to help Sarah to tidy the house, and she gladly accepted the offer, as, having been so long away, she did not know where the things had been kept, although she did not quite like the thought of anybody touching her mother's things except herself. Mr. Brown was going to take his cab out the next day as usual, to see if he could earn a little money, as the six months' illness had made a great hole in his earnings, but Sarah besought him to stay and talk to her a little, which, after some demur, he was willing to do, and they sat down to breakfast, not trusting themselves to speak of yesterday's sad events. The week soon passed, and Sarah had to return once more to her work, but this time she had great doubts in her mind as to whether she ought not to stop and take care of her father; but Mr. Brown told her so plainly that it helped him more to know that she was comfortable and earning some money, that for the time being she gave up the idea.

All the servants were glad to have her among them again, and tried to tell her how much they felt for her, and Lady James sent for her to say that if she would like to go twice a week to see Mr. Brown she might take an hour off her work, for which kindness Sarah was very grateful.

After this permission, Sarah went very often to see her father, and found that Mrs. Carrol made him so comfortable and cheered him so much that she really need have no compunction about having left him. The house always seemed to be tidy and clean, and although nobody seemed to think this at all extraordinary, Sarah sometimes felt an uneasy sensation creeping over her; but Mrs. Carrol was always so kind that she put these thoughts away from her, as being disloyal to her father.

One day her mistress had taken her three boys, aged six, seven, and eight, to the Zoological Gardens in honour of Sir Alfred's birthday, and Sarah was given a whole day's holiday. She had written to Dick to ask whether he could get a day off and take her for a walk, and, as he bore a very good and steady character, his master let him have the day, knowing he was engaged to Sarah.

At eleven o'clock they started for their trip, and Dick suggested going in a penny steamer down the Thames, to which Sarah joyfully agreed. The day was very fine and warm, and when they landed at Greenwich they bought some ginger beer and buns, and had quite a feast on the grass under some shady trees.

They naturally had a great deal to tell each other, and discussed many plans for the future. Dick told Sarah that his master was thinking of taking a house in the north of Scotland for a year, and he wanted Dick very much to go with him. Sarah was very distressed about this, as she thought a year a very long time, and in her heart of hearts she was afraid Dick might get to like some one else better than herself.

Dick read her thoughts fairly accurately, and assured her she need never think he would forget her, as he felt certain there was no nicer or prettier girl all the world over, and Sarah was too pleased at this speech to think of further objections. At last they had to turn homewards, and on the steamer they spoke but little, each wondering when and where they should meet again, little thinking how much was to happen before a year was over.