A Silver Brand — page 124: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ig A SILVER BRAND. “Ever so pleasant. And I am rested by it,” answered Serena, opening the-door, and passing into the house but reappearing the next moment at the open window, tying on her checked apron. ‘Do hear her now!” cried old Mrs. Haynes, admiringly ; “all the other school-marms I ever knew came home tired and wilted down, and so cross you couldn’t touch ’em a yard off. Buta change of work is all she asks.” | “But I’ve been out on the water, Mrs. Haynes, and that is always a happiness to me,” interposed Serena, gently, while she broke the pearly eggs into her white dish, and took up the whisk. | “But you had torow yourself. And I like to see any other girl as would call that pleasure.” “Then they lose a great. deal of enjoyment as well as health. Grandma’s doctrines in that respect are a saving ' truth. She wouldn’t let me fall into your lazy American ways, Mrs. Haynes,” laughed Serena. - “Lazy Americans! well, I declare now! I’ve heard our folks called everything else but lazy, Even them as is as shiftless as can be, work pretty hard to get clear 0’ work.” “Yes, that’s where it is so odd,” persisted Serena, thor- oughly enjoying Mrs. Haynes’ amazement. “I don’t think there ever was a people before who were such tireless toil- ers at their real business, and such aimless drivelers where the necessary recreation is concerned. There is my rowing. You always exclaimed in horror at the thought. Who ever would expect to see a girl rowing a boat? But this wise little grandma nodded her head, and twinkled her eyes, and said it was the-best thing in the world for my arms, and my chest, and above all for my brain. Oh, how I thank her forit! For besides giving me strength and health, it opens to me a kingdom of delights whenever I choose to enter there. To-day now it was really tire- some and hot, and close, in the school-room. The little things felt it, and were restless, and troublesome, and when I came out I had a tight feeling across my chest and my head ached with the buzz and stir of the restless chil- dren. I was almost as tired as I have ever been, since I began school. And I suspect grandma saw it. And she sent me out to the boat. Ah, I wish I could show all the listless weary girls in the land what a new life rushes through every nerve with the glorious exercise. The soft plash of the waves was such a soothing hymn after the school din, the fresh rush of the air across my forehead swept off every ache, and each unhealthy, morbid thought. - (Elo) Eomiecbooks