Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX ON Saturday morning Jack woke early, and joy banished sleep. A feeling of dawning freedom filled his heart. For eight years he had been a sort of respectable slave; his creeds had been settled for him by men who had torn each other asunder with the vehemence of a committee for working a church society; the style of his conversation, the cut and colour of his clothes, the pursuits seemly for a curate, had all been settled for him with the narrowness and the vigour which is usually found in the rules of a girls' school; his first business had been to play the shadow of his ecclesiastical superior, unless he wished to divide the parish and blast his prospects. Now, he thought, much of this at least was nearly over; he was about to pass from that dreadful condition, often bordering upon flunkeyism, into the liberty and responsibility of manhood. This was joy enough for one heart and one day. But there were far lovelier visions, for now he could tell Eva Moreton of the love with which he worshipped her. He had seen younger men of all ranks revel in the delight of early manhood, win their brides, and take their place among their fellowmen, whilst the curate was permitted to fill up the marriage registers, or sit silent at the wedding-breakfast; but now his time had come to pluck life's ripe fruit. His unspoken love had so filled him that he felt sure Eva must know something of it, and if she favoured his deep affection, then he would forget all the bitterness of past years, and drown their memories in delight. He thought that Mrs. Moreton would be favourable; they had always been friends, though she had sometimes exercised her privilege as a middle-aged woman, a mother, and a widow, to scold him "for his good." He longed for the discussion to be over...
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