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Raine, William MacLeod, 1871-1954

"Friends and Neighbors"


Annie Bermond looked in perfect bewilderment at her aunt, but Miss
Margaret was silent and tearful.
"Aunt! darling aunt! don't look so distressed;" and Annie put her
arms around her neck; "but tell me what have I done; what is the
matter?"
Miss Greylston shook her head.
"You will not speak now, Aunt Margaret; you might tell me; I am sure
something has happened to distress you. Just as soon as I came here,
I saw a change, but I could not understand it. I cannot yet. Tell
me, dear aunt!" and she knelt beside her.
So Miss Greylston told her niece the whole story, softening, as far
as truth would permit, many of John's harsh speeches; but she was,
not slow to blame herself. Annie listened attentively. Young as she
was, her heart took in with the deepest sympathy the sorrow which
shaded her beloved friends.
"Oh! I am so very sorry for all this," she said half crying; "but
aunty, dear, I do not think uncle will have those nice old trees cut
down. He loves you too much to do it; I am sure he is sorry now for
all those sharp things he said; but his pride keeps him back from
telling you this, and maybe he thinks you are angry with him still.
Aunt Margaret, let me go and say to him that your love is as warm as
ever, and that you forgive him freely. Oh! it may do so much good.


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