Next Morning, both our Heads were thrust simultaneously out of our Bedroom Windows. “Violet is doing purely,” cries she; “there’s no Plague-spot—How is Cherry?” We exchanged Congratulations and heartfelt Blessings.
In short, it proved a false Alarm; but as Cherry was so miraculously contented under my Care, her Mother would not have her back till every Fear of Danger was over, by which Time the pretty Creature was well weaned. If Hugh had loved his Wife before this, he now absolutely adored her: he said he had learned the Value of his Treasures too dearly to run any farther Risk of losing them, come what might to his Business. So he shut up Shop, left an old Woman in Charge, bought a Tent, Horse, and Cart, and Everything else he wanted or could take; and, one fair Morning, he mounted Kitty all smiling under the Tilt, with a Darling on each Arm, and Bags, Baskets, and Crockery-ware all about her; and shouldering his Carter’s Whip, started off with his Family for Kent, like a blythe, honest Patriarch.
CHAPTER IX
Foreshadows
AH! with that little Gipsey-party went all the Smiles I was to see for many a Day, though I knew it not.
My Father about this Time seemed dull and sorry of Cheer. I asked him if aught ailed him in Body or Mind, or had gone wrong in his Affairs. He said, no—that he was sensible of a Heaviness on his Spirits, but could no Ways account for it. And, with that Stoutness of Heart which had become a second Nature, he bustled about and tried to cast it off. Still I watched him narrowly, but could detect no Signs of Disorder. I lay awake at Night, thinking of him; and amid the Stillness all about, could faintly hear the distant Wail of that poor distracted Madman, who incessantly ran about the Streets of the City, crying, “Oh! the great and dreadful God!”
After Breakfast, my Father said to me, “Cherry, I shall be absent for an Hour or two, but you may expect me punctually at Dinner.”