But you'll have to do your best. I want
you to promise me faithfully that you'll stand by him and protect
him--that you won't let people impose on him; that you'll never
desert him as long as he needs you, no matter what comes.
Eunice, promise me this!"
In her excitement the sick woman raised herself up in the bed,
and clutched the girl's thin arm. Her eyes were blazing and two
scarlet spots glowed in her thin cheeks.
Eunice's face was white and tense. She clasped her hands as one
in prayer.
"Mother, I promise it!"
Naomi relaxed her grip on the girl's arm and sank back exhausted
on the pillow. A death-like look came over her face as the
excitement faded.
"My mind is easier now. But if I could only have lived another
year or two! And I hate Car'line--hate her! Eunice, don't you
ever let her abuse my boy! If she did, or if you neglected him,
I'd come back from my grave to you! As for the property, things
will be pretty straight. I've seen to that. There'll be no
squabbling and doing Christopher out of his rights. He's to have
the farm as soon as he's old enough to work it, and he's to
provide for you. And, Eunice, remember what you've promised!"
Outside, in the thickly gathering dusk, Caroline Holland and
Sarah Spencer were at the dairy, straining the milk into
creamers, for which Christopher was sullenly pumping water. The
house was far from the road, up to which a long red lane led;
across the field was the old Holland homestead where Caroline
lived; her unmarried sister-in-law, Electa Holland, kept house
for her while she waited on Naomi.
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