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Say and Seal Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Say and Seal novel. A total of 212 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Say and Seal.Volume I.by Susan Warner and Anna Warner.PREFACE.It is a melancholy fact, t
Say and Seal.Volume I.by Susan Warner and Anna Warner.PREFACE.It is a melancholy fact, that this book is somewhat larger than the mould into which most of the fluid fiction material is poured in this degenerate age. You perceive, good reader, that it has
- 1 Say and Seal.Volume I.by Susan Warner and Anna Warner.PREFACE.It is a melancholy fact, that this book is somewhat larger than the mould into which most of the fluid fiction material is poured in this degenerate age. You perceive, good reader, that it has
- 2 "But it was such a mercy, child, that you hadn't gone out to supper anywhere--I can't think what I should have done. There's Cindy this minute!--run and tell her to go right away and find out what his name is--tell her I want to know,-
- 3 "_I_ don't know," said Miss Danforth goodhumouredly. "Maybe he can stand it.--If he takes two cups I should say he can. How do you like the profession of teaching, sir?"Now to say truth, Mr. Linden did not know--not by actual prac
- 4 "We are as apt to have it at noon as any time," said Faith. "Will that do, Mr. Linden? we could have it later.""That will do perfectly. Only if the 'temple of literature' opens and swallows me up, Miss Faith, don't
- 5 "It's all your fault, sir," said Miss Danforth cheerfully. "And I guess the Squire has got his supper.""He must be a man of quick despatch," said Mr. Linden; while Faith after a glance to see if her bannocks were right,
- 6 "What do you think of it, I think I should say. Mr. Linden, I have shewed you the sh.o.r.e!""You!"-- "Who else?"Were you ever here before by moonlight?""I don't know--No, I think not. Were you ever here before
- 7 "It must needs travel a crooked road.""Did you?""It has left a meandering sort of recollection in my mind.""Where did it lead to?""It led to another.""What I want to know is," said Miss Danforth,
- 8 "Miss Faith--I am Reuben Taylor. Mr. Linden told me to come to you and make myself useful. Is there any thing I can do?--would you like some round clams?--Father's out there in the boat."The earnest eyes said how gladly he would do 'an
- 9 "It's sea-weed, isn't it?""Yes. And moreover--Miss Faith, that is part of your marine Flora. Now what about the clams?""My _what?_" said Faith. "First tell me, please, what you said.""Your marine Flor
- 10 "What do you know about Pattaqua.s.set points?" repeated the Squire,--"or Pattaqua.s.set people--or Pattaqua.s.set water either, for that matter?Just you go down here when the tide's in--and afore you know where you are you'll fin
- 11 "Nonsense!" said Mr. Linden, looking grave,--"I am as anxious on that point as you can be. What nonsense has he got in his head?"Faith hesitated, flushed and paled a little, and looked at her lilies."I don't know whether I ou
- 12 Linden--ha--it strikes me that it would be useful for me to know your view of the cause of offence--whatever it is--before I know his. One may correct the other.""There has been no offence given sir," said Mr. Linden. "That the Squire
- 13 "Well--are the other boys learnin' yet?" said Mr. Simlins, as he spread a slice of bread pretty thick with b.u.t.ter."S'pose so"--said Joe,--"all they kin.""It's hard work!" said Mr. Simlins. "I feel it now! Never ploughin'made my back ache l
- 14 "Well--I'd as lief see Faith and Mrs. Derrick as a'most any other two folks in Pattaqua.s.set,--but they're a long ways off, you say?""No further than the parlour, I believe."Mr. Simlins was willing to go as far as the parlour, and so the party on
- 15 "But, 'The day is done--and the darkness Falls from the wing of night.'""I never mend stockings till then," said Faith smiling over her work."Are Sam's apples good?""By reputation.""I thought you were trying them! Why you asked me for a knife,
- 16 "Any that are deeply sedative.""Sedative?" said Faith, with that look which he often drew from her,--very earnest, half wistful, half sorrowful,--"I don't know what it means, Mr. Linden.""It means," said he, his face relaxing a little, "'such a
- 17 "I am late!" she said with a compunctious glance at the clock. And as soon as it could be made the tea came in smoking. As Faith took her seat at the table she put her question."When did you come in, Mr. Linden?""About a quarter of an hour before you
- 18 "A Christian is one, who trusting in Christ as his only Saviour, thenceforth obeys him as his only King."Faith hesitated and thought. "I don't understand," she said folding her hands, "--about the trusting.""Suppose there was something you wanted
- 19 "Never wished it for your own sake, dear mother?""Yes--sometimes--when I saw him die--" said Mrs. Derrick. "Hush child--don't say another word to me now, for I can't bear it." And giving Faith an embrace which took off all thought of roughness fro
- 20 Faith laid that last remark up in her heart, enshrining it in gold, as it were. But she said nothing."How is it with you?" he said turning his eyes full upon her,--"you have not told me lately. Are the clouds all gone?"Her look met his, wistful, and s
- 21 "What else!" said Mr. Linden,--"that will take you some time.Afterwards you will learn all the lessons your teacher gives you.""Who'll he be?" said Charles twelfth coming a little nearer. "You?""No indeed," said Mr. Linden, "I have quite enoug
- 22 "Sam _aint_"--said Joe, as if that was all he cared about."Only the boys, Miss Faith," said Reuben with another glance at his comrade. "But it's a pretty place over there,--and so's the ride.There's room for Mrs. Derrick too if she'd like it," R
- 23 "He's coming out now!" said Reuben,--"or his wife is--and that's just as good."And so it appeared; for a short vision of a red petticoat and blue jacket on the other bank, was followed by the ferryman himself,--the white sail rose up above the littl
- 24 CHAPTER X.The two ladies paused at a safe distance,--there seemed to be nothing but boys astir--boys and nuts; and these last not dropping from the tree, but thrown from hand to hand (hand to head would be more correct) of the busy throng. Some picking up
- 25 "Mr. Linden," said Faith, "I want to ask something--will you tell me if you don't like it?""Don't like to have you ask me, do you mean? I do like it.""Then," said Faith half laughing, "will you tell me it you don't quite like what I mean?""I
- 26 "I bain't Sam," was Joe's rather cool rejoinder, with a slight relapsing into Yankee Doodle."Hollo!" said Mr. Simlins--"I thought you'd learned all school could teach you, and give up to come?""Only the last part is true, Mr. Simlins," said Mr.
- 27 He looked amused too, yet with a difference."Well, Miss Faith--You are a prisoner, for political purposes. There is no practicable way for you to get back to the house save through the witness-box.""Where is the witness-box?" said Faith."Are you in a
- 28 She yielded utterly at that, but with a set of her lip which he had never seen before; it was trembling. She was turning to go on, when as if to make amends for that--or to ask forgiveness generally--or to give a.s.surance of the trust he had claimed,--sh
- 29 "Home.""Goin' alone?""Why, yes. Why not?""Don' know," said Mr. Simlins,--"only I'm going part way, and I'll see nothin' happens to you as long as _I_'m in your consort."It was a wild place enough to make company pleasant. Dark clumps of fo
- 30 "Yes," said Mr. Linden; "but I never saw such a piece of ground, yet."Mr. Simlins paused."Do you believe some folks can be better than they air already?" he asked."I believe all folks can.""You believe in cameras, then. How're you goin' to work
- 31 "Well child?" said her mother a little abstractedly."I wish, mother, you would ask Mr. Linden to read and pray at night--and let Cindy and Mr. Skip come in?""Why Faith!" said Mrs. Derrick, now fully roused,--"how you talk, child! Wish I'd do this,
- 32 "What lessons?" said the boy blackly."All you get--at home and abroad. You go to school I fancy," replied Mrs. Somers.The boy glanced towards the clock and began to move off, answering by actions rather than words."You were over at Neanticut, I suppo
- 33 "I am glad you don't say you have no doubt I _do_," said Mr. Linden. "I suppose you mean that I would if sufficient temptation came up, which of course it never has."Faith looked an instant, and then her gravity broke up. "Ah, but you know what I me
- 34 There was a little pause at that--it was a puzzling question to answer; not to speak of a slight warning which the Squire received from his instinct. But the pause was pleasantly ended."Faith!" said a gentle voice in the pa.s.sage--"open the door, chil
- 35 "What is the matter with the boy?" she said, "I couldn't get anything out of him, Mr. Linden."A somewhat peculiar smile came with the words, "Couldn't you?"Faith noticed it, but her thought was elsewhere. She came back to the table, took up the fl
- 36 The party were now on the lawn, at one side of which the boys had cl.u.s.tered and were standing in expectation."I think, Mr. Linden," said the doctor, "if you will explain to the boys what is to become of them in the next hour, I will go and see about
- 37 "No indeed!" said Faith, starting back and s.h.i.+elding the oak leaves with her hand, as that of Miss Deacon approached them. "What are you thinking of?""Thinking of!" said Cecilia colouring. "So, Faith, I hear you've set up for a school teacher?
- 38 With a slight congee the doctor left thorn and went back again; and then came the full rush of all the guests, small and great. Miss Harrison claimed Mr. Linden's a.s.sistance to marshal and arrange the boys at their table--one being given specially to t
- 39 "Don't you know," he said, "that you never should thank me for doing pleasant things?""Why, Mr. Linden?" she said in a tone a little checked."Why?--because I like to do them.""Well," she said laughing slightly, "that makes me want to thank you
- 40 He took possession of Faith, and with a graceful "Au revoir!"--to Mr.Linden, led her away.The effect of the lanterns was very pretty, and to her eyes very curious. So were the lanterns themselves, be fore one and another of which Faith stopped and looke
- 41 "I s'pose you think folks have nothing to do but talk about you now.You're a long way out!"--was the careless answer."What did you say I said?" said Reuben."I never heard you say anything, as I know, that was worth tellin'over. When I do, I'll le
- 42 She laughed, somewhat uneasily, and asked him what he meant."I hardly know how to make my question plainer, Miss Faith. I suppose I am of an impatient disposition, but the idea of waiting an indefinite time for rest is not pleasant to me.""But can you
- 43 "Well?--isn't that blank to be filled up?""And Shakspeare," said Faith casting down her eyes."I cannot let you confine yourself to the study of human nature," said Mr. Linden,--"that will never do. Charles twelfth and Shakspeare want ground to sta
- 44 "Dr. Harrison, Miss Faith. At least I thought he said so.""Did he speak to you?""Yes ma'am--and just pushed my word out of the way when I gave it,--said it might be well enough to tell people but he didn't think you liked it. And so I got vexed. I
- 45 "I'm sure it never could by me, in that style," said Mrs. Derrick,--"my fingers always think they are ironing or making piecrust. But child, here's Dr. Harrison--come for n.o.body knows what, except that Sophy took it into her head to send her heart
- 46 "Yes, I should like to see him," said the doctor; "but as he is a mortal like myself, I suppose I can find him another time by the use of proper precautions."And Dr. Harrison took his departure.Mrs. Derrick on her part went upstairs again, and opening
- 47 Faith was silent."What's the matter?" repeated her mother,--"have you been getting sick after all I said to you?""Squire Deacon has been here talking to me," said Faith in a low tone."Well then you had company, I'm sure. What did he talk about? C
- 48 There was certainly a figure there, not standing, but sitting on the bench in an att.i.tude that spoke of faintness; and of all the men in Pattaqua.s.set, Mr. Simlins was perhaps most surprised to see that it was Mr. Linden. A white handkerchief ineffectu
- 49 "They'd be as likely to run against each other as any way, in this mist to-night," said the doctor. "You'd better leave all that till the morning. I'll see you again to-morrow," said he holding out his hand to Mr. Linden. "I suppose they don't kn
- 50 "No sir," said Reuben. "Good evening, Mrs. Derrick--may I go up to Mr.Linden's room?""How is he now, Reuben?" said Mrs. Derrick. "O yes, you can go up, of course.""Thank you, ma'am--he said he was more comfortable when I came away."And with an
- 51 It cannot be said that sleep came to Faith's eyes unbidden,--yet once come, sleep rested there sweetly, even beyond her usual time; and the first disturbing sound, in that misty Sunday morning, was the stopping of a wagon at the front door. But if Faith
- 52 'My soul is free, as ambient air,'-- My sense of liberty comes from the possession--not the want.""Prospective possession,"--said the doctor. "Unless indeed," he went on with a humorous play of the lips--"you mean that my orders to you to lie stil
- 53 "You are of a different world from that in which I live; and the flowers that are sweet to you, belong, I am afraid, to a Flora that I have no knowledge of. What, for instance, would you call pleasant things to talk about--if you were choosing a subject
- 54 "You look as if you had been teaching all day--or taught, which is but another branch. What did my boys say to you?""I think they thought they were saying to you, Mr. Linden,--they behaved so well."He smiled."I don't believe even your conjuring powe
- 55 "He's better here," said Mrs. Derrick with a cool disposing of the subject. "What did you want to keep him up there for, doctor?""Only acted upon a vigorous principle of Mr. Linden's nature, madam.--If I had ordered him to come, he would have staye
- 56 "No, mother," she said, looking at her."Why child!"--Mrs. Derrick began,--then she stopped and began again. "I guess he'd rather see you than that box, child,--if the doctor hasn't talked him to death.""Mother, do you think he would like to have
- 57 "By what chain of reasoning, Miss Faith?""I know by the sound of your voice. And you eat nothing to-day. Do you like cocoa, Mr. Linden?" she added eagerly.He smiled a little and answered yes."Then I shall bring you some!"Faith stayed for no answer t
- 58 'Where there is no s.p.a.ce For the glow-worm to lye; Where there is no s.p.a.ce For receipt of a fly; Where the midge dares not venture, Lest herself fast she lay; If love come he will enter, And soon find out his way!'So, Miss Faith, you may expect to
- 59 Faith went to get the books, but returned without them and with a disturbed face."Mr. Linden, one of the boys wishes to see you.""I suppose it never was heard that a boy came at the right time," said Mr. Linden. "Well Miss Faith--I believe I must see
- 60 "And what was that?"--Mr. Linden was as untireable as a minority juror."I said Reuben said she warn't what Joe said," Phil got out at last in a lowered tone."And what was _that?_""Well--" said Phil desperately--"Joe said she was--"Mr. Linden wa
- 61 "What do you think of this for our quiet town, Miss Derrick? Has Mr.Linden any enemies in Pattaqua.s.set--that you know?"It was merciless in the doctor; for through all this time she had been in a state of confusion--as he knew--that made speech undesir
- 62 CHAPTER XXIII."Well child!" said Mrs. Derrick as they took their seats at the dinner-table, "what _have_ you been about all day? I've just spent the morning looking over those apples, so I've had no chance to look you up. How's Mr. Linden? does the
- 63 "Ladies don't think about these things, my dear sir!--Aunt Ellen is so sharp she gets ahead of her s.e.x. Let me have the honour of suggesting a pleasanter subject of meditation. I have seen to-night, aunt Ellen, the most exquisite and valuable jewelry
- 64 "Upon something stronger, I fancy," said Mrs. Somers, a little surprised in her turn, but well pleased too, for Faith had come nearer her heart that evening than ever before, and the voyage of discovery was pleasant."I should certainly think I was in P
- 65 She smiled innocently and went on, "All that just fitted me, as you meant it should, to take the good of the evening--and I had a great deal," she said gravely. "I saw almost everything you spoke of--and other things. I saw the chalk sh.e.l.ls, Mr.Lind
- 66 "O you shall hear a great deal--I will take that upon myself."Faith shook her head, gave the fire a final mending, and ran off; for it was again an hour past the mid-day. Mr. Linden's dinner came up, and was hardly removed before Dr. Harrison followed.
- 67 Faith heeded not the doctor then, nor anything else in the world. She waited an instant; she had drawn herself up on hearing the question; then leaning forward again she said slowly, tenderly, "I should be going--to be happy with my divine Redeemer. Are
- 68 "I will walk home," she said interrupting him."You are not able! We are three miles, at least, from Mrs. Derrick's house. You could not bear it.""I can walk three miles," she said with a faint, fair smile. "I will go home with Sam, and you can tak
- 69 The next remark diverged a little, and was given with darkening eyes."How DARED he take you with those young horses!""He thought he could do just what he pleased with them--" said Faith, shaking her head a little."And with you--" was in Mr. Linden'
- 70 "Who has told you, Linden, that I believed or disbelieved anything?""Yourself.""May I ask, if any other testimony has aided your judgment, or come in aid of it?""No," said Mr. Linden, looking at him with a grave, considering eye. "I am not much i
- 71 "You couldn't guess!" said Johnny with a very bright face."I couldn't guess!" said Mr. Linden. "Don't you suppose I can do anything?""Yes--" said Johnny shaking his head,--"but you can't do that.""Then I shall not try," said Mr. Linden, "
- 72 But that brought out Faith's round low laugh, so incontrovertibly merry and musical that it changed Mr. Simlins' face on the instant. It came to an end almost as soon, but short as it was it was better than the warble of any nightingale; inasmuch as the
- 73 "Husband wanted me to come and see how Mr. Linden was," she said in meek explanation of her appearance. "He would have come hisself, but he was forced to be in the field, and he said he wisht I'd come myself.How is he, ma'am?""I hope he's better,
- 74 "And so glad to see me go away from dinner!""I didn't say that.""You will--" said Mr. Linden,--"I can imagine you falling back in your chair and exclaiming, 'Ah, quand voulez-vous partir, monsieur!'--which of course will make it extremely diffic
- 75 "You see I am safe and well, Reuben.""I am so thankful, Miss Faith!" And the words said not half.The doctor had finished his m.u.f.fins and was standing before the fire again. "Have you found out yet, my man," he said in a somewhat amused voice,--"
- 76 "You're as like yourself as ever you can be, doctor!" she said, smiling at him. "How you used to try to get round me!""I don't remember!" said the doctor. "I am sure I never succeeded, Mrs.Derrick?""I'm afraid you did, sometimes," she said, s
- 77 "Yes. He is called, 'The archangel Uriel, one of the seven Who in G.o.d's presence, nearest to his throne, Stand ready at his command, and are his eyes.That run through all the heavens, or down to the earth, Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, O
- 78 "Dr. Harrison,"--she said when they were in a quiet part of the way, with n.o.body near, "may I speak to you about something?--that perhaps you won't like?""You can speak of nothing I should not like--to hear," he said with gentle a.s.surance."Dr.
- 79 "Squire Deacon used to tell very hard stories of him when he first came," said the lady--"and I _have_ heard a report or two since. I do love to talk to him about it!--he always looks so grave, I think he likes it."The laugh was mutual, whether the de
- 80 "No--" she said. "I believe you have said all you can say. And it is good for me.""I have not said all I _could_ say, but it is not easy for me to talk to you about it at all. You see, Miss Faith," said Mr. Linden smiling, "there cannot be such an
- 81 "I couldn't--and you wouldn't. But you need not be uneasy, Miss Faith--I must not be at home."She looked grave, but said no more.The wind was not more busy out of doors that day, than the people within. Diligent and quick hands moved about in dairy an
- 82 "Mr. Linden--I want to ask you something."The tone was low and peculiar. It was a very common thing for her to be more or less moved by a little timidity; but now plainly Faith was afraid. It changed her voice, beyond the slight sweet touch that timidit
- 83 "Why yes!" said Mrs. Derrick--"I don't see why not. One of you must."With this thought Faith went back to the sitting-room. Clearly there was some strong feeling against her being the one, for after a little sober silent waiting, she spoke."Mr. Lind
- 84 "I'll go bail for the first part of that!" said Squire Deacon. "But it's your affairs I'm talkin' of--not his'n. And I s'pose I've as good a right as all the rest of Pattaqua.s.set--and give no offence, neither.I was goin' to make you my compli
- 85 "Went to Se-vast-a-pool!" said the doctor with perfect gravity. "I hope you're better!""Don't I look well?""If I were to take the votes on that subject," said the doctor, "I presume the verdict would be unanimous. But looks are proverbially--un
- 86 Mr. Linden however entirely declined to a.s.sent to any such proposition,--nay, even hinted that if any one was to be charged with wasting roses just then, it was the Squire himself."Yes, I think so too!" said Mrs. Stoutenburgh,--"but how funnily you a
- 87 "You play blind man's buff, don't you, dear?""When I can," said Faith."The real question, Miss Faith," said Mr. Linden, whose grave unmoved look--unmoved unless by a little fear that she might be annoyed--would have been some help to her during he
- 88 "What do you think of the modern definition of a young lawyer, Miss Essie--'a man who is where he has no business to be, because he has no business where he ought to be'?"Miss Essie laughed, and laughed."Don't Sam get along fast with his reading and
- 89 "Ah!--you see!" said Miss Essie. "_You_ sir,--I know you but I don't remember you,--your teacher says you haven't a will of your own--now is it true? I want to know.""A will of my own, ma'am?" Reuben repeated, looking doubtfully from Miss Essie t
- 90 There the boys were left somewhat to themselves at one end of the table, and the half dozen others stood or sat in the warm fireplace corner at the other. Mr. Linden indeed, and Squire Stoutenburgh, were both "boys" very often; but their returns to the
- 91 There was a little astonished pause. Mr. and Mrs. Stoutenburgh, just then at the further end of the room, had moved at Miss Essie's summons, but stopped short at the first sound of Mr. Linden's voice, and looked in a sort of maze,--_he_ clearly was not
- 92 "There's one gone.""I should like to be doing something to help. Will you lend me your knife, Mr. Deacon?--and I'll try." But that brought a hand on her bridle."I cannot trust your horse out of my sight, Miss Faith,--I will get what is wanting.""
- 93 "I consider it my duty to keep you well informed as to yours.""But then!" said Faith, who by dint of trotting had got into as merry a mood as her gentleness often wore, "I hope you will also think it your duty, Mr. Linden, to tell me how I can _perfo
- 94 "It was rather of their taking than my giving. But Miss Faith, --'How necessary is it now-a-days, That each body live uprightly in all manner ways?'""Yes, Mr. Linden! What are you thinking of?""Just that--" he said smiling. "A thought of the dark
- 95 "I maintain that duties are facts, not notions," said Mr. Linden."Hum--" said the doctor turning,--"Now you are too quick for me. May one not have a _notion_ of a fact?""One may. What are your notions about society and solitude?""Of duty in those
- 96 Mrs. Somers' errand was to invite the younger portion of the company to spend Christmas evening with her. And having succeeded in her mission, she made the doctor take her home.CHAPTER x.x.xIII.The week thereafter pa.s.sed with the usual quiet business o
- 97 "Well see if it is equal to this demand--What would be the consequences if you and I were to start off and scour the country 'on our own hook,'as people say?""I think 'our hook' would draw two people after us," said Faith, looking very much amused
- 98 The doctor looked very moody for a few minutes; then his brow brightened. Faith's straightforward truth had served her as well as the most exquisite piece of involution. The doctor could not very well see the face with which her words were spoken and had
- 99 "I must have you in sight--and I will not have you near me." And letting go his hold he said, almost imperatively, "I will trust you. Walk on before me!--Miss Faith, you must not delay a moment.""I will go with you," she said low, and clinging to hi
- 100 "You don't think you're any better than you used to be--do you?""No, ma'am. Yet my life is better, I hope.""I don't believe it! How could it be?""In this at least, that I am the servant of G.o.d now. Before, I never thought of serving him.""I