Page:Notable women authors of the day (IA notablewomenauth00blaciala).pdf/43

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MRS. RIDDELL
25


"'Indeed !!!' amazed. Might I ask the names ?'-tentatively.

"' Well, amongst others, “George Geith."'

"A dead silence ensued, during which I had the comfort of feeling that they both felt sure I was saying what was not true. I sat quite quiet, and 30 did they. If I had not been so burdened with care I must have laughed out loud. As it happened, I comported myself, as I have often done since, in many difficult and humorous positions, with decent gravity, and then this came from Mr. Newby, the while the ribbons on Miss Springett's cap were tremulous :

If you really wrote "George Geith," then indeed you have achieved a success !'”

And so you part; with loving tender sympathy. Though the morn of this distinguished woman's life has been so clouded, the noon so stormy, the noble, self-reliant spirit has battled through it bravely and patiently, and you leave her with the inwardly- breathed prayer that "at evening time there shall come light "