It was an old hen, whose
death set Patience crying in her weakness. Nevertheless, it was
stewed down into broth which heartened her up considerably, and a
blanket that came home rolled up on the donkey's back warmed her
heart as much as her limbs.
Mrs. Elmwood spared Rusha for a week, and it was funny to see how the
girl wondered at its having been possible to live in such a den. She
absolutely cried when Ben told her how hard they had been living, and
said she did not think Stead would ever have used Patience so.
"Then why did she make as if she liked it?" said Stead, gruffly.
But for all that Stead was too sound-hearted not to be grieved at
himself, and to see that his love and impatience had led him into
unkindness to those who depended on him; and when Master Woodley
preached against love of money he felt pricked at the heart, though
it had not been the gain in itself that he aimed at. And when he had
to go to the mill, the sight of the comfortable great kitchen, with
the open hearth, glowing fire, seats on either side, tall settle, and
the flitches of bacon on the rafters, seemed to reproach him
additionally.
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