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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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after effecting a sale of their goods to a broker; that Mr. Wickfield's affairs should be brought to a settlement, with all convenient speed, under the direction of Traddles; and that Agnes should also come to London, pending those arrangements. We passed the night at the old house, which, freed from the presence of the Heeps, seemed purged of a disease; and I lay in my old room, like a shipwrecked wanderer come home. We went back next day to my aunt's house - not to mine-and when she and I sat alone, as of old, before going to bed, she said: 'Trot, do you really wish to know what I have had upon my mind lately?' 'Indeed I do, aunt. If there ever was a time when I felt unwilling that you should have a sorrow or anxiety which I could not share, it is now.' 'You have had sorrow enough, child,' said my aunt, affectionately, 'without the addition of my little miseries. I could have no other motive, Trot, in keeping anything from you.' 'I know that well,' said I. 'But tell me now.' 'Would you ride with me a little way tomorrow morning?' asked my aunt. 'Of course.' 'At nine,' said she. 'I'll tell you then, my dear.' At nine, accordingly, we went out in a little chariot, and drove to London. We drove a long way through the streets, until we came to one of the large hospitals. Standing hard by the building was a plain hearse. The driver recognized my aunt, and, in obedience to a motion of her hand at the window, drove slowly off; we following. 'You understand it now, Trot,' said my aunt. 'He is gone!' 'Did he die in the hospital?' 'Yes.' She sat immovable beside me; but, again I saw the stray tears on her face. |
