Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/48

40 the rights of the poor of all classes were universally acknowledged, if intellectual and moral education were what they should be, the deaf would hear, and the blind would see; and the rich man would no longer look with fear upon, the poor man, nor the poor man with envy on the rich. This true millennium is on its way. "Blessed are those who wait!"

Our friends were soon seated at their tempting tea-table, where Susan tried to busy herself with her duties, but her eyes continually rested on her sister's pale face, and it was all she could do to repress her tears and speak cheerfully when she saw plain indications that Charlotte had not reaped the advantage from her journey that they had too sanguinely expected. She perceived that Charlotte, instead of tasting the delicacies prepared for her, declined them all, even the warm biscuit and cherry-pie, and the radishes too, which she particularly liked, and made her meal of a cracker she took from her bag, and a glass of water. Susan dared not trust her voice to ask questions; Charlotte made no explanations; Harry's eyes followed Susan's, but he was silent; and Uncle Phil, too happy at getting home to observe the feelings of the parties, merely murmured once when Charlotte refused the cake, "Them New-York doctors are dum notional!"

When the tea was over, Susan could bear it no longer; and the tears streaming from her eyes, she said, "Oh, Lottie, 'tis a comfort to get you home, though you an't cured." The ice was now broken, and Charlotte, much refreshed by her simple meal, proceeded to relate the circumstances of her