FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148  
149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   >>   >|  
der foot are troubles past; in the distance bowering newness tempts us ever forward. We quicken with largesse of life, and spring with vivid mystery. And, in good sooth, I had to spring, and no mystery about it, ere ever I got to the top of the rift leading into Doone-glade. For the stream was rushing down in strength, and raving at every corner; a mort of rain having fallen last night and no wind come to wipe it. However, I reached the head ere dark with more difficulty than danger, and sat in a place which comforted my back and legs desirably. Hereupon I grew so happy at being on dry land again, and come to look for Lorna, with pretty trees around me, that what did I do but fall asleep with the holly-stick in front of me, and my best coat sunk in a bed of moss, with water and wood-sorrel. Mayhap I had not done so, nor yet enjoyed the spring so much, if so be I had not taken three parts of a gallon of cider at home, at Plover's Barrows, because of the lowness and sinking ever since I met Mother Melldrum. There was a little runnel going softly down beside me, falling from the upper rock by the means of moss and grass, as if it feared to make a noise, and had a mother sleeping. Now and then it seemed to stop, in fear of its own dropping, and wait for some orders; and the blades of grass that straightened to it turned their points a little way, and offered their allegiance to wind instead of water. Yet before their carkled edges bent more than a driven saw, down the water came again with heavy drops and pats of running, and bright anger at neglect. This was very pleasant to me, now and then, to gaze at, blinking as the water blinked, and falling back to sleep again. Suddenly my sleep was broken by a shade cast over me; between me and the low sunlight Lorna Doone was standing. 'Master Ridd, are you mad?' she said, and took my hand to move me. 'Not mad, but half asleep,' I answered, feigning not to notice her, that so she might keep hold of me. 'Come away, come away, if you care for life. The patrol will be here directly. Be quick, Master Ridd, let me hide thee.' 'I will not stir a step,' said I, though being in the greatest fright that might be well imagined,' unless you call me "John."' 'Well, John, then--Master John Ridd, be quick, if you have any to care for you.' 'I have many that care for me,' I said, just to let her know; 'and I will follow you, Mistress Lorna, albeit without any hurry, unless th
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148  
149   150   151   152   153   154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Master
 

spring

 

falling

 
asleep
 

mystery

 

driven

 

carkled

 

running

 

bright

 

sleeping


albeit

 
Mistress
 

orders

 
dropping
 
blades
 

straightened

 

offered

 

allegiance

 

turned

 

follow


points

 

mother

 

answered

 

patrol

 

directly

 
feigning
 

notice

 

greatest

 

fright

 

blinking


blinked

 

pleasant

 
Suddenly
 

broken

 

sunlight

 

standing

 

imagined

 

neglect

 

Barrows

 

fallen


However
 
raving
 

strength

 

corner

 

reached

 
comforted
 

desirably

 
Hereupon
 
difficulty
 

danger