The Faith Healer - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
_With pa.s.sion._
Say it, say it! What am I?
MRS. BEELER.
Don't be hurt, Rhoda, but--you have a wild nature. You are like your father. I remember when he used to drive over to see sister Jane, with his keen face and eagle eyes, behind his span of wild colts, I used to tremble for my gentle sister. You are just like him, or you used to be.
_Rhoda breaks away from her aunt, and takes her hat and cloak. Mrs.
Beeler rises with perturbation, and crosses to detain her._
What are you going to do?
RHODA.
I am going away--I _must_ go away.
_Martha enters from the hall._
MRS. BEELER.
_Speaks lower._
Promise me you won't! Promise me!
MARTHA.
To look at that, now! Seein' you on your feet, Mary, gives me a new start every time.
MRS. BEELER.
_To Rhoda._
You promise?
_Rhoda bows her head as in a.s.sent._
MARTHA.
Doctor's in the parlor. Shall I bring him in here?
MRS. BEELER.
No. I think I will rest awhile. He can come to my room.
_She walks unsteadily. The others try to help her, but she motions them back._
No. It's so good to feel that I can walk alone!
MARTHA.
It does beat all!
MRS. BEELER.
I'll just lie down on the couch. I want to go out, before dark, and speak to the people.
_Mr. Beeler enters from the kitchen and crosses to help his wife.
The others give place to him._
Oh Mat, our good days are coming back! I shall be strong and well for you again.
BEELER.
Yes, Mary. There will be nothing to separate us any more.
MRS. BEELER.
_Points at his books._
Not even--them?
_He goes to the alcove, takes the books from the shelf, raises the lid of the window-seat, and throws them in._
_Mrs. Beeler points to the pictures of Darwin and Spencer._
Nor them?
_He unpins the pictures, lays them upon the heap of books, and returns to her._
You don't know how happy that makes me!
_They go out by the hall door, Martha, as she lowers the lid of the window-seat, points derisively at the heap._
MARTHA.
That's a good riddance of bad rubbis.h.!.+
_She comes to the table and continues packing the basket._
You'd better help me with this basket. Them folks will starve to death, if the neighborhood round don't give 'em a bite to eat.
_Rhoda fetches other articles from the cupboard._
I'd like to know what they think we are made of, with b.u.t.ter at twenty-five cents a pound and flour worth its weight in diamonds!
RHODA.
All the neighbors are helping, and none of them with our cause for thankfulness.
