Лавка древностей

Chapter 1

           Itookadvantageofamomentwhenshewasabsenttoventureahintonthispoint,towhichtheoldmanrepliedthattherewerefewgrownpersonsastrustworthyorascarefulasshe.

           ‘Italwaysgrievesme,’Iobserved,rousedbywhatItooktobehisselfishness,‘italwaysgrievesmetocontemplatetheinitiationofchildrenintothewaysoflife,whentheyarescarcelymorethaninfants.Itcheckstheirconfidenceandsimplicity—twoofthebestqualitiesthatHeavengivesthem—anddemandsthattheyshareoursorrowsbeforetheyarecapableofenteringintoourenjoyments.’

           ‘Itwillnevercheckhers,’saidtheoldmanlookingsteadilyatme,‘thespringsaretoodeep.Besides,thechildrenofthepoorknowbutfewpleasures.Eventhecheapdelightsofchildhoodmustbeboughtandpaidfor.’

           ‘But—forgivemeforsayingthis—youaresurelynotsoverypoor’—saidI.

           ‘Sheisnotmychild,sir,’returnedtheoldman.‘Hermotherwas,andshewaspoor.Isavenothing—notapenny—thoughIliveasyousee,but’—helaidhishanduponmyarmandleantforwardtowhisper—‘sheshallberichoneofthesedays,andafinelady.Don’tyouthinkillofmebecauseIuseherhelp.Shegivesitcheerfullyasyousee,anditwouldbreakherheartifsheknewthatIsufferedanybodyelsetodoformewhatherlittlehandscouldundertake.

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