If they go to the
poor-house, it won't be worth while giving them anything; the town'll
provide."
"I do not think they will go there. Mrs. Larkum will get better, after
awhile."
"It might do her good to hear you say; so would you mind coming over this
morning to see her? I go in every day to see to them."
I gathered up a large bundle of flannels and prints, for herself and
children, along with the parcel containing Mr. Bowen's cloth, while Mrs.
Blake was getting ready. She came to the table, where I stood arranging
my parcels.
"Are these to go to the widow's now?" she asked.
"Yes, if we can carry all at once."
"I'll see to that. I've taken many a heavier load a good deal farther."
"But I will share the burden with you."
"No, it looks better for me to have my arms full than you; and, anyway,
I want to do something to help them, and you too."
I humored her fancy, only insisting on relieving her of my present for
Mr. Bowen. It was the most precious package in the lot; and I feared she
might drop it. When we reached the door of the Larkum cottage she halted.
"You won't like the look of things here to-day. There's only the
neighbors to look after them; and the most of us has more'n enough to do
home."
"If I am such a poor soldier as to be so easily frightened as that, you
would be ashamed of me. When they endure it all the time, surely I may
for a few minutes."
"But you're not used to it."
She entered without knocking, when a scene met my gaze that fully equaled
Mrs.
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