The Louisa Alcott Reader: a Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of School
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team THE LOUISA ALCOTT READER _A Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of School_ BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT [Illustration: "Lily rocked and ate till she finished the top of the little tree."]
"Well, Joan," said the benevolent mechanic, after he had looked at her
steadfastly for a few moments, "what say you?--silence gives consent,
eh?"
Mrs. Sheppard made an effort to speak, but her voice was choked by
emotion.
"Shall I take the babby home with me!" persisted Wood, in a tone between
jest and earnest.
"I cannot part with him," replied the widow, bursting into tears;
"indeed, indeed, I cannot."
"So I've found out the way to move her," thought the carpenter; "those
tears will do her some good, at all events. Not part with him!" added he
aloud. "Why you wouldn't stand in the way of his good fortune sure_ly_?
I'll be a second father to him, I tell you. Remember what the conjuror
said."
"I _do_ remember it, Sir," replied Mrs. Sheppard, "and am most grateful
for your offer. But I dare not accept it."
"Dare not!" echoed the carpenter; "I don't understand you, Joan."
"I mean to say, Sir," answered Mrs. Sheppard in a troubled voice, "that
if I lost my child, I should lose all I have left in the world. I have
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team THE LOUISA ALCOTT READER _A Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of School_ BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT [Illustration: "Lily rocked and ate till she finished the top of the little tree."]