So she went back and worked, taking with her unconquerable hope, and the sweet remembrance of the Sovereign's words, and the gracious music of her Real Name.
CHAPTER IV.
THE DISAGREEABLE MAN GIVES UP HIS FREEDOM.
THE morning after Bernardine began her book, she and old Zerviah were sitting together in the shop. He had come from the little inner room where he had been reading Gibbon for the last two hours. He still held the volume in his hand; but he did not continue reading, he watched her arranging the pages of a dilapidated book.
Suddenly she looked up from her work.
"Uncle Zerviah," she said brusquely, "you have lived through a long life, and must have passed through many different experiences. Was there ever a time when you cared for people rather than books?"
"Yes," he answered a little uneasily. He was not accustomed to have questions asked of him.
"Tell me about it," she said.
"It was long ago," he said half dreamily, "long before I married
Malvina. And she died. That was all."
"That was all," repeated Bernardine, looking at him wonderingly.
Then she drew nearer to him.