"She always gives way so; but I never was like that.

I was up all the same, my dear." "I hope it does not hurt very much," said Ruth, anxious to be sympathetic, but succeeding only in being commonplace.
"It's not only the pain," said Mrs.Alwynn, in the gentle resigned voice which she always used when indisposed--the voice of one at peace with all the world, and ready to depart from a scene consequently so devoid of interest; "but to a person of my habits, Ruth--never a day without going into the larder, and always seeing after the servants as I do--first one duty and then another--and the chickens and all.

It seems a strange thing that I should be laid aside." Mrs.Alwynn paused, as if she had not for the nonce fathomed the ulterior reasons for this special move on the part of Providence, which had crippled her, while it left Ruth and Mrs.Thursby with the use of their limbs.
"However," she continued, "I am not one to repine.

Always cheery and busy, Ruth: that is my motto.

And now, my dear, if you will wind up the musical-box, and then read me a little bit out of 'Texts with Tender Twinings'" (the new floral manual which had lately superseded the "Pearls"), "after that we will start on one of my scrap-books, and you shall tell me all about your visit to Vandon." It was not the time Ruth would have chosen for a _tete-a-tete_ with her aunt.