Мхи старої садиби
Roger Malvin's Burial
Frombehindthetrunkofeverytree,andfromeveryhiding-placeinthethickfoliageoftheundergrowth,shehopedtodiscoverthecountenanceofherson,laughingwiththesportivemischiefthatisbornofaffection.Thesunwasnowbeneaththehorizon,andthelightthatcamedownamongtheleaveswassufficientlydimtocreatemanyillusionsinherexpectingfancy.Severaltimessheseemedindistinctlytoseehisfacegazingoutfromamongtheleaves;andoncesheimaginedthathestoodbeckoningtoheratthebaseofacraggyrock.Keepinghereyesonthisobject,however,itprovedtobenomorethanthetrunkofanoakfringedtotheverygroundwithlittlebranches,oneofwhich,thrustoutfartherthantherest,wasshakenbythebreeze.Makingherwayroundthefootoftherock,shesuddenlyfoundherselfclosetoherhusband,whohadapproachedinanotherdirection.Leaninguponthebuttofhisgun,themuzzleofwhichresteduponthewitheredleaves,hewasapparentlyabsorbedinthecontemplationofsomeobjectathisfeet.
"Howisthis,Reuben?Haveyouslainthedeerandfallenasleepoverhim?"exclaimedDorcas,laughingcheerfully,onherfirstslightobservationofhispostureandappearance.
Hestirrednot,neitherdidheturnhiseyestowardsher;andacold,shudderingfear,indefiniteinitssourceandobject,begantocreepintoherblood.Shenowperceivedthatherhusband’sfacewasghastlypale,andhisfeatureswererigid,asifincapableofassuminganyotherexpressionthanthestrongdespairwhichhadhardeneduponthem.Hegavenottheslightestevidencethathewasawareofherapproach
