登陆注册
15466800000048

第48章 CHAPTER XX(2)

"That's right, Katy. Think well of your friends, though others speak ill of them," said Grace. "Ah, there comes the carriage. I am going home with you, Katy, to see your mother."

"You are very kind, Miss Grace."

"Here is the money," added Mrs. Gordon, handing her a little roll of bills.

"Thank you, ma'am," replied Katy, as she placed the money in her porte-monnaie. "But----"

Here she came to a full stop, and her face was as crimson as a blush rose, but she took out the silver watch, and approached Mrs. Gordon.

"What were you going to say, Katy?"

"I brought this watch up," stammered she.

"What for?"

"You know I am a poor girl, my mother is a poor woman, and we didn't want you to think you were giving us the money, for we are very proud; that is, my mother is very proud, and so am I; and----"

Here Katy drew a long breath, and came to a full stop again, unable to say what she wanted to say.

"If you want anything else, Katy, don't hesitate to mention it; for I will not do anything to mortify your pride, even if it is unreasonable," said Mrs. Gordon. "I understand you perfectly; the twenty dollars is not a gift, but a loan."

"Yes, ma'am; but if we should never be able to pay it, then it would be a gift."

"No, it wouldn't."

"I think so; and so I brought this watch, which you will please to take as security for the payment of the loan," said Katy, much confused, as she offered the watch to Mrs. Gordon.

"My dear child, I do not want any security. Your word is just as good as your bond."

"But I would rather you would take it. My mother is prouder than I am, for she wasn't always as poor as she is now."

Katy suddenly clapped her hand over her mouth, when she recollected that this was a forbidden topic.

"Some time you may tell me all about your mother; and I will call and see her to-morrow, and help you take care of her."

"Please to take the watch. ma'am."

"If you very much desire it, I shall do so, though I cannot take it as security. Is this the watch you carried to the pawnbroker?" said Mrs. Gordon as she took the treasure.

"Yes, ma'am. It belonged to my father."

Mrs. Gordon turned over the watch, and looked at it with considerable interest, as she thought of it as a memento of the dead, and how highly it must be prized by the poor woman.

"Mercy, what's this!" exclaimed she, starting back, and staggering towards her chair.

"What is the matter, mother?" cried Grace, running to her side.

"Are you ill?"

"No, Grace; that inscription!" replied Mrs. Gordon, faintly, for she seemed very deeply moved, and on the point of swooning.

"Bring me a glass of water."

There was no water in the room, but Michael was in the entry, and was dispatched to procure it. He returned in a moment, and when Mrs. Gordon had in some measure recovered from the sudden shock she pointed to the inscription on the back of the watch:--

"M. G. to J. R.

All for the Best."

"What does, it mean, mother? I do not see anything very strange about that."

"I have seen this watch before," she replied, stopping to think.

"Where did your mother get this watch, Katy?" she asked, as it occurred to her that she might be arriving at a conclusion too suddenly.

"It was my father's."

"Where did your father get it? Did you ever hear your mother say?

"Yes, ma'am; her father, who was a rich Liverpool merchant, gave it to her husband, my father," replied Katy, who felt justified in revealing what her mother had told her to keep secret.

"Mercy!" gasped Mrs. Gordon, almost overcome by her emotions.

"What is the matter, mother? What has all this to do with you?" asked Grace, anxiously.

"Come here, Katy, my child," continued Mrs. Gordon, as she drew the little candy merchant to her side, and warmly embraced her.

"Your mother, Katy, is my sister, I have scarcely a doubt."

"Why, mother! Is it possible?" exclaimed Grace.

"It is even so. Mrs. Redburn, whose name we have often heard mentioned without thinking it might be the wife of John Redburn, my father's clerk, is my sister. I had given her up, and have regarded her as dead for more than ten years. But, Grace, get my things, and I will go to her at once."

"Is that your portrait, ma'am?" asked Katy, pointing to the picture of the mischievous lady.

"No, child; that is your mother's portrait."

"I almost knew it."

"It was taken when she was only sixteen years old. She was a gay, wild girl then. I suppose she is sadly changed now."

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 永生炼狱

    永生炼狱

    胜者为王败者为寇!泅洲的最强者达到真神之境的剑祖被异界强者所击杀,新的主宰赐予了人们百倍的寿命和青春。让人们拥有了近万年的生命,数千年的青春,这就够了吗?不够!神还要赐予他们永生!一个噩梦般的永生!一个生不如死的永生!当一个永生的炼狱浮现世间,泅洲便成了囚洲,捆锁天地,万物为囚!生死轮回才是天道,人们默默承受着炼狱的折磨,他们渴望有人能击破天地,打碎这永生的桎梏!
  • 浮寂

    浮寂

    南宋初年,金兵肆虐,各路武林人士为结成抗金联盟举办武林大会,不料各派高手纷纷遭遇毒手。神秘少年陆易调查此事,几番波折,不料真相竟是……
  • 暖女遇高冷:竹马乖,来抱抱!

    暖女遇高冷:竹马乖,来抱抱!

    【甜宠】从小,忻孜(xinzi)就拥有软化身旁任何人的能力,因此,人缘向来都是杠杠的。自从遇上高冷的凛枚(linmei)后,忻孜给自己设定了一个伟大的目标:软化他!软化他!软化他!因此,之后每次见到凛枚,忻孜总是会不顾场合的扑上去,再给他一个大大的么么哒!★★“小竹马,抱一个!”【新文,求收藏!求收藏!求收藏!】
  • 拂风夜叶

    拂风夜叶

    世间安得双全法,不负如来不负卿。
  • 萌宠绝爱:校草大人,消停会儿

    萌宠绝爱:校草大人,消停会儿

    第一次见面,“夜城”酒吧,他帅气凌人,本想英雄救美,无奈却没“调戏”,这可怎么受得了!第二次见面,爸妈把他带到家里,这个变态竟然要住在自己的卧室里,“湛北辰,我们谈谈!”“好,睡着谈。”
  • 极品召唤宗师

    极品召唤宗师

    无良男北平承载着游戏里的数据穿越了。险死环生中召唤来了小神笔马良,在经过一番激烈的忽悠后,有些幼小的马良就这样的被绑上了贼船,并为其画出了一双变异的写轮眼……不仅拥有着召唤出传说、历史、神话、鬼怪杂谈、动漫、电影中一切的力量,更重要的是无良男北平还带着一身的召唤师数据,据说创造出这片世界的神,好象只有99级……新书级别介绍:冥士、冥甲、冥腾、冥铠、冥兵、冥将、冥王、冥皇、冥圣。{求一切票票收藏……另喜欢本书的可以进群探讨一下:109757929。}
  • 补生

    补生

    生来就是天地间最强者的他,压抑不住心中的孤寂!进入凡间,开启了他的正真人生!
  • 白色眷恋

    白色眷恋

    因为不满皇马6比2的比分,中国青年律师沈星怒砸啤酒瓶,结果电光火石间,他穿越成了佛罗伦蒂诺的儿子,且看来自09年的小伙子如何玩转03年的欧洲足坛
  • 我是你的眼

    我是你的眼

    这本《我是你的眼》一书,近15万字,像是作为老师,苦口婆心为你指点迷津;像是作为医生,向您道出为病人解除痛苦所付出的智慧和爱心;又像是作为一个智者,向你道出人生的真谛和价值所在;也像是作为一个艺术家在向你描绘自然之美和生命之美。总之,作者用一生的努力、拼搏、责任和智慧为你呈现出别样的人生,给你讲述一个个正能量故事,希望它能启迪你的人生,升华你的思想境界,助你创造美好的未来。这是一位医生的感悟与自白,不仅仅讲述他在行医过程中的感悟,也讲述了他对于生命的体会,对身体与疾病的关系的理解。
  • 重生为猪

    重生为猪

    活着,只为活着而活着。请你给我一个活下去的理由,那么请你为我而活着,纵使天涯与海角那么遥远,誓言永远都存在在那一刻。只为了活着!!!