“Oh, hurry! let’s escape this!” whispered Elsie, laughing and blushing.
“Never mind, dear! Never mind their rough manners. You are too generous and large-hearted to feel anger or contempt at their unrefined method of expressing their sympathy, which is really more sincere and earnest than all the congratulations in elegant phrases that ladies and gentlemen give and receive upon such occasions. Let us have patience with uncultivated Nature, dear Elsie, for we are going to live with her a long time. At least, have any other feeling for humanity rather than contempt, dear Elsie,” replied Magnus, as he finished arranging her cloak.
“Me! me presume to feel contempt for my rough, honest, kindly neighbors! Oh, Magnus, never! I will prove to you that I do not!” exclaimed Elsie, in a low, hurried voice.
Then Magnus sprang into his seat, and took the reins from the hands of the lad.
As he gave them up, the boy fixed a long, lingering, wistful look at the wagon and its occupants.
“You look as if you had half a mind to accompany us, my boy,” said Dr. Hardcastle, as he read the expression of the lad’s countenance.
“Oh, I have, sir! for I feel I could be useful, almost necessary to you, and beneficial to myself, if I could go; but I cannot, for I have a little girl to take care of at home.”
“A little girl to take care of? You!”
“Yes, sir, my little sister, or rather she is just like my little sister. We live on Hutton Island.”
“Oh, yes! the two Children of the Isle. How come you over here so early, my boy?”