Page:Life's little ironies (1894).pdf/141

In this strait Emily Lester tried by every means in her power to aid the afflicted woman, but she met with constant repulses.

“I don't like you! I can’t bear to see you!” Joanna would whisper hoarsely, when Emily came to her and made advances.

“Bat I want to help and soothe you, Joanna,” Emily would say.

“You are a lady, with a rich husband and fine sons. What can you want with a bereaved crone like me?”

“ Joanna, I want this: I want you to come and live in my house, and not atay alone in this dismal place any longer.”

"And suppose they come and don’t find me at home? You wish to separate me and mine! No, I'll stay here. I don’t like you, and I can’t thank you, whatever kindness you do me !”

However, as time went on Joanna could not afford to pay the rent of the shop and house without an income. She was assured that all hope of the return of Shadrach and his sons was vain, and she reluctantly consented to accept the asylum of the Lesters’ house. Here she was allotted a room of her own on the second floor, and went and came as she chose, without contact with the family. Her hair grayed and whitened, deep lines channelled her forehead, and her form grew gaunt and stooping. But she still expected the lost ones, and when she met Emily on the staircase she would say, morosely : “I know why you’ve got me here! They'll come, and be disappointed at not finding me at home, and perhaps go away again; and then you'll be re venged for my taking Shadrach away from ‘ee !”

Emily Lester bore these reproaches from the grief-stricken soul. She was sure—all the people of Havenpool were sure—that Shadrach and his sons could not return. For years the vessel had been given ap as lost.