Dawson had told us
would be considered handsome in most lodgings. I do not believe
Phenice ever received wages from the Mackenzies.
But that dear Mrs. Dawson! The mention of her comes into my mind
like the bright sunshine into our dingy little drawing room came on
those days;--as a sweet scent of violets greets the sorrowful passer
among the woodlands.
Mrs. Dawson was not Mr. Dawson's wife, for he was a bachelor. She
was his crippled sister, an old maid, who had, what she called, taken
her brevet rank.
After we had been about a fortnight in Edinburgh, Mr. Dawson said, in
a sort of half doubtful manner to Miss Duncan -
"My sister bids me say, that every Monday evening a few friends come
in to sit round her sofa for an hour or so,--some before going to
gayer parties--and that if you and Miss Greatorex would like a little
change, she would only be too glad to see you. Any time from seven
to eight to-night; and I must add my injunctions, both for her sake,
and for that of my little patient's, here, that you leave at nine
o'clock. After all, I do not know if you will care to come; but
Margaret bade me ask you;" and he glanced up suspiciously and sharply
at us.
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