I'll send in a little something or other, before the
afternoon. A cold leg of mutton, or some comfortable trifle of
that sort. You'll expect me?'
'Yes,' she answered.
She had drooped her head, and turned away; and so stood, with her
hands crossed, musing.
'I don't think you will,' muttered Tackleton, looking at her; 'for
you seem to have forgotten all about it, already. Caleb!'
'I may venture to say I'm here, I suppose,' thought Caleb. 'Sir!'
'Take care she don't forget what I've been saying to her.'
'SHE never forgets,' returned Caleb. 'It's one of the few things
she an't clever in.'
'Every man thinks his own geese swans,' observed the Toy-merchant,
with a shrug. 'Poor devil!'
Having delivered himself of which remark, with infinite contempt,
old Gruff and Tackleton withdrew.
Bertha remained where he had left her, lost in meditation. The
gaiety had vanished from her downcast face, and it was very sad.
Three or four times she shook her head, as if bewailing some
remembrance or some loss; but her sorrowful reflections found no
vent in words.
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