"Feth, ma'am; and he was that sorry, he'd never forgive himself at all; but, ma'am, I told him I read in my Bible, 'Not rindering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing.'"
The large drops ran down Gertrude's cheeks, as she listened to this simple story. Presently she called Bridget to her, and putting her arms up, drew down the homely face and kissed it.
"YOU HAVE DONE ME GOOD AND I CAN'T LET YOU GO."
"You've done me good," she said softly, "and I can't let you go away."
[CHAPTER VIII.]
THOUGHTS AND REVELATIONS.
INSTEAD of obeying her angry master and leaving the house, Bridget went down stairs to the parlors, where a scene of confusion met her eye, such as would have carried dismay to the heart of her young mistress. Her resolve was taken at once to bear and forbear, if she might be allowed to stay, for the sake of the desolate child-wife so far away from all her friends.
She ran up to the attic to lay aside her bonnet and shawl, and looked in upon Gertrude to say:
"Be aisy, ma'am; Bridget McCarty's not the girl to lave ye whin ye need a stout arm and a willing heart."