I want to talk sensibly to
some one. I am tired of being on the heights or in the depths all the
time; and as for poetry, I wish I might never hear words that rhyme
again. I've got to feel that way about it, that if I open a book, and
see the lines begin with capitals, my first impulse is to tear it to
pieces. There, now, you have my opinions, Sophia!"
Sophia laughed softly. "Where are you going? I see you have your bonnet
on."
"I am going to Up-Hill. Grandfather Latrigg had a fall yesterday, and
that's a bad thing at his age. Father is quite put out about it."
"Is he going with you?"
"He was, but two of the shepherds from Holler Scree have just come for
him. There is something wrong with the flocks."
"Julius?"
"He does not know I am going; and if he did, I should tell him plainly
he was not wanted either at Up-Hill, or on the way to it. Ducie thinks
little of him, and grandfather Latrigg makes his face like a stone wall
when Julius talks his finest."
"They don't understand Julius. How can they? Steve is their model, and
Steve is not the least like Julius."
"I should think not."
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind. Good-by."
She shut the door with more emphasis than she was aware of, and went to
her mother for some cordials and dainties to take with her. As she
passed through the hall the squire called her, and she followed his
voice into the small parlor which was emphatically "master's room.
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