I've tried hard to be good, but somehow
I've made just such a mess of my life as I made of hulling the berries. The
bowl is broken, I have n't much fruit to show, and I am all stained and
draggled. I should n't have come to Albion on the five o'clock train--that was
an accident; I meant to come at noon, when you could turn me away if you
wanted to."
"Nay, that is not the Shaker habit," remonstrated Abby. "You and the child can
sleep in one of the spare chambers at the Office Building and be welcome."
"But I want much more than that," said Susanna, tearfully. "I want to come and
live here, where there is no marrying nor giving in marriage. I am so tired
with my disappointments and discouragements and failures that it is no use to
try any longer. I am Mrs. Hathaway, and Sue is my child, but I have left my
husband for good and all, and I only want to spend the rest of my days here in
peace and bring up Sue to a more tranquil life than I have ever had. I have a
little money, so that I shall not be a burden to you, and I will work from
morning to night at any task you set me."
"I will talk to the Family," said Eldress Abby gravely; "but there are a good
many things to settle before we can say yee to all you ask.
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