Susan Warner (1819-1885), A letter of credit (1881), 1882 edition
Produced by Daniel FROMONT
Note from the transcriber: a very important text for the study of Susan Warner's "Queechy".
THE LETTER OF CREDIT.
_BY THE AUTHOR OF "WILD, WILD WORLD_."
I. THE END OF A COIL. 12mo. $1.75.
"Miss Warner has added another pure and beautiful picture to the gallery that has given so much pleasure to such great numbers. All her pictures are bright and warm with the blessedness of true love and true religion. We do not wonder that they receive so wide a welcome, and we wish sincerely that only such stories were ever written."--_N. Y. Observer_.
II. MY DESIRE. 12mo. $1.75.
"Miss Warner possesses in a remarkable degree the power of vividly describing New England village life, the power of making her village people walk and talk for the benefit of her readers in all the freshness of their clear-cut originality. She has an ample fund of humor, a keen sense of the ridiculous, and a rare faculty of painting homely truths in homely but singularly felicitous phrases."--_Philadelphia Times_.
III. THE LETTER OF CREDIT. 12mo. $1.75.
IV. PINE NEEDLES. A Tale. 12mo. $1.50.
V. THE OLD HELMET. A Tale. 12mo. $2.25.
VI. MELBOURNE HOUSE. A Tale. 12mo. $2.00.
VII. THE KING'S PEOPLE. 5 vols. $7.00.
VIII. THE SAY AND DO SERIES. 6 vols. $7.50.
IX. A STORY OF SMALL BEGINNINGS. 4 vols. $5.00.
_By Miss Anna Warner_.
THE BLUE FLAG AND THE CLOTH OF GOLD $1.25
STORIES OF VINEGAR HILL 3 vols. 3.00
ELLEN MONTGOMERY'S BOOKSHELF 5 vols. 5.00
LITTLE JACK'S FOUR LESSONS 2.50
ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
NEW YORK.
THE
LETTER OF CREDIT.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
"THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD."
...."The bewildering masquerade of life, Where strangers walk as friends, and friends as strangers." LONGFELLOW.
NEW YORK: ROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS,
530 BROADWAY. 1882.
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Letter of Credit by Susan Warner
- 2: The floor was clean enough to sit upon
- 3: Carpenter might be intense too
- 4: Said Rotha as she slowly rose and laid away her book
- 5: Carpenter answered as she was dishing the dinner
- 6: Carpenter in the summer season
- 7: Rotha brought a Bible and laid it before her father
- 8: Carpenter was busy with mending clothes
- 9: Carpenter turned the letter over
- 10: Carpenter sat staring into the fire
- 11: Serena might have had all the rest
- 12: But what was she to do with Rotha
- 13: Jones sends his potatoes and his fruit to the city
- 14: Rotha was well satisfied with it
- 15: Rotha must stand still to look
- 16: Carpenter had found in some parts of the city
- 17: And Rotha declared that it tasted good
- 18: They made Rotha draw in to herself
- 19: By degrees became a burden to Rotha
- 20: Rotha was not satisfied by this statement
- 21: And Rotha found an incessant recurrence of meal times
- 22: Rotha learned the parts of speech
- 23: Exclaimed Rotha springing to the window
- 24: Nobody ever expected either from Rotha
- 25: She would not send Rotha so far alone
- 26: Rotha worked awhile at this problem in silence
- 27: And Rotha never knew what that encounter had been
- 28: And Rotha with a mingling of unwillingness and curiosity
- 29: And what would you buy with money
- 30: Whether by persons or circumstances
- 31: The same as a foreign missionary
- 32: Inquired Rotha a little jealously
- 33: This time he paid no attention to Rotha
- 34: Followed by a boy with a basket
- 35: Rotha looked on in silent astonishment
- 36: Carpenter thought she could afford
- 37: Rotha is fond of asking questions
- 38: Rotha was now nearly fourteen
- 39: Rotha can do nothing with numbers
- 40: For Rotha was flushed and fierce
- 41: And she aint fit to be workin' this minute
- 42: Digby opened the Latin grammar
- 43: Digby kept their larder stocked with oysters
- 44: This intimation incensed Rotha
- 45: Rotha rebelled in secret against the whole thing
- 46: Rotha reported from her post of observation
- 47: The other cart was our business
- 48: Struck Rotha with some strange new consciousness
- 49: Rotha unwillingly left her place
- 50: Till Rotha suddenly broke it by asking
- 51: He that keepeth thee will not slumber
- 52: And for a few moments Rotha was silent
- 53: Endlessly interesting to Rotha
- 54: Not for Christians that aint good and strong
- 55: Digby had never seen there before
- 56: Digby paused a minute or two before he spoke again
- 57: Digby did not know what further to counsel
- 58: Rotha has far too good abilities for that
- 59: Said Rotha with suddenly opening eyes
- 60: And as Rotha had once declared that Mr
- 61: Rotha was at a self conscious age
- 62: How was he to tell Rotha what he had promised to tell her
- 63: Digby had half forgotten it and everything else
- 64: ' Rotha stopped and looked up at her companion
- 65: Rotha exclaimed with a long breath
- 66: Rotha having run off to change her dress
- 67: Archibald Busby was very well known to him
- 68: Ponies that come from Shetland
- 69: He took Rotha to a hotel and ordered a simple dinner
- 70: How full the world is of trouble
- 71: She greatly dreads to see your sorrow
- 72: Rotha we must go home presently
- 73: But if she spoke then to Rotha
- 74: Digby passed the good woman and began to ascend the stairs
- 75: I wanted to ask you about Rotha
- 76: Bursting out into violent sobs
- 77: Digby unclosed his arm from about Rotha
- 78: Rotha was utterly gentle and docile
- 79: Both occasions of the utmost gratification to Rotha
- 80: The little mantua maker contemplated the muslins
- 81: Rotha was perfectly clear sighted
- 82: I thought people did said Rotha
- 83: He noticed Rotha more particularly
- 84: Rotha went on drawing and did not look up
- 85: I do not know what is superstitious
- 86: Rotha gave one of her quick glances of comprehension
- 87: Digby turned himself out of his hammock
- 88: Rotha took her place beside him
- 89: Rotha did not hold herself forbidden
- 90: Said Rotha with great decision
- 91: Asked Rotha as she rang the bell
- 92: How would Rotha bear uprooting again
- 93: Digby how welcome a visiter he was
- 94: Digby was determined this time he would not break
- 95: Who else should take care of her
- 96: Rotha disregarded the question
- 97: Rotha thought it practically amounted to that
- 98: Said Rotha in full astonishment
- 99: Rotha obtruded her feelings in no way upon his notice
- 100: He was making a copy for Rotha
- 101: Poor Rotha felt her gown dreadfully out of place
- 102: But hitherto had not looked at Rotha
- 103: Nothing like it had Rotha ever seen
- 104: That's what is called phrenology
- 105: But Rotha was getting amused now
- 106: Rotha followed her aunt up stairs
- 107: Busby started up in her chair a little
- 108: And Rotha coloured up as if she was delighted
- 109: Busby also was putting herself in order
- 110: Rotha lifted a white face and fiery eyes
- 111: Busby seemed to ponder the subject
- 112: Rotha crept up stairs to her own room
- 113: Rotha went in her old grey dress
- 114: Busby was engaged with other visitors
- 115: Rotha went back into her room and stood trembling
- 116: And hour after hour Rotha stood in the hall and listened
- 117: Said Rotha with sudden resolution
- 118: Lesbia seemed at last overcome
- 119: Rotha was of anything but a suspicious disposition
- 120: Rotha could not say thank you
- 121: Busby went on with her breakfast and avoided looking at her
- 122: Rotha had a mental recognition of all this
- 123: And got some refreshment from Lesbia
- 124: Busby looking up from a letter
- 125: Rotha crept down to the empty dressing room
- 126: Rotha applied that to herself unhesitatingly
- 127: Rotha felt as if she had got a blow
- 128: Busby brought her lips into firmer compression
- 129: Rotha coloured high and sat still
- 130: Rotha had far more against her
- 131: Miss Blodgett asked Rotha to wait a few minutes
- 132: Rotha glanced again at the sweet face
- 133: Busby let the lines of her lips relax
- 134: Busby wore an air of deliberation
- 135: It was long before Rotha could sleep
- 136: Rotha found a book suited to her pleasure
- 137: And aunt Serena hindered my knowing
- 138: Rotha did not feel that even Mrs
- 139: Rotha replied a little evasively
- 140: First be reconciled to thy brother
- 141: Rotha received the book with an access of pleasure
- 142: At last Rotha turned to her books
- 143: Rotha studied that chapter long
- 144: It looked magnificent to Rotha
- 145: Antoinette asked leave to see Rotha
- 146: Rotha asked her distantly what she meant
- 147: Mowbray presently called Rotha to her side
- 148: Rotha did not take to any of them
- 149: Mc Pherson and I will put you in bed and tie you there
- 150: Rotha had delivered herself of the foregoing
- 151: She gave Rotha an open note to read
- 152: She was laughing at Miss Blodgett
- 153: Rotha never lost the remembrance
- 154: Rotha was bending over something
- 155: Rotha had never even contemplated such profusion
- 156: It all worked oddly with Rotha
- 157: Rotha needed those articles very much
- 158: But Rotha did not like the Home
- 159: Rotha admired with unending admiration
- 160: Mowbray and Rotha found themselves in the carriage again
- 161: Rotha received her first introduction to the stereoscope
- 162: Rotha laid the Swiss valley away
- 163: It struck Rotha with a strange sort of surprise
- 164: Rotha lost herself for a while here
- 165: Rotha had but a little yarn to mend with
- 166: Rotha had no skill whatever in prevarication
- 167: Rotha gave an account of her visit to the Old Coloured Home
- 168: Rotha tried to hold her tongue
- 169: To think of Rotha being in love with Mr
- 170: Mowbray's Rotha was in another world
- 171: And Rotha had no claim upon her
- 172: Rotha managed to get in quietly
- 173: Busby looking more annoyed than Rotha had ever seen her
- 174: Busby began in constrained tones
- 175: Rotha has nobody to write letters to
- 176: Rotha took her hands down and said nothing
- 177: Busby uttered with some discomposure
- 178: Rotha was feeling this already
- 179: Mowbray asked with a smile that was very kindly
- 180: She gave a kind embrace to Rotha
- 181: And apologized for disturbing Rotha
- 182: Rotha said again after a pause
- 183: That Rotha did not notice the silence
- 184: Rotha thought she could easier have forgiven Saul
- 185: And cleared the arches of Rivaulx out of her eyes
- 186: With indescribable joy Rotha obeyed this command
- 187: Busby was in her dressing room
- 188: As Rotha half expected she would
- 189: She couldn't wear mine said Miss Nettie
- 190: But I am a servant of Christ thought Rotha
- 191: Rotha went away much comforted
- 192: Which Rotha saw and greatly resented
- 193: And stood there like Abdiel among the fallen angels
- 194: Rotha stood and blazed at them
- 195: I think Rotha forgot at the moment that Mrs
- 196: For Rotha was true to her affections
- 197: Mowbray look or speak so despondently
- 198: Mowbray folded the girl in her arms
- 199: She knew Rotha had grown up very handsome
- 200: Tanfield Rotha repeated with slow recollection
- 201: Who else should live at Tanfield
- 202: If Rotha had been more experienced
- 203: And these Rotha received them silently
- 204: And a little money to pay for her drive out from Tanfield
- 205: He that keepeth thee will not slumber
- 206: Rotha gratefully followed her companion
- 207: Rotha at any rate had not got so far
- 208: And Rotha repeated her question
- 209: He left Rotha to her meditations
- 210: Rotha turned the second corner
- 211: And addressing herself to Rotha
- 212: And indeed furnished as bedrooms
- 213: Rotha looked somewhat dismayed
- 214: And Rotha insensibly grew comforted
- 215: Rotha could not Better bear anything
- 216: It takes one o' them highflyers
- 217: Rotha mounted the stairs again
- 218: Down to the gate furthest from Tanfield
- 219: Rotha opened a door here and there
- 220: And Rotha returned slowly homeward
- 221: Set out and walk to the hotel at Tanfield
- 222: But Rotha thought that hardly applied
- 223: But gradually there began to grow up a feeling in Rotha
- 224: Mis' Busby aint a fool neither
- 225: Which Rotha could not understand
- 226: Purcell gave her one of her sideway glances
- 227: Rotha would have laughed at it
- 228: Her aunt's evil intention do her no harm
- 229: Rotha bowed her head upon her book
- 230: Purcell helped Rotha to the two first named articles
- 231: But Rotha was not afraid any more
- 232: Thought Rotha in dismal candidness
- 233: Purcell sat silent at her bean picking
- 234: Rotha was too vexed to speak again
- 235: But Rotha eat slowly and thoughtfully
- 236: And the speaker looked up at Rotha
- 237: And Rotha went slowly up stairs
- 238: Tanfield was too far to go on foot and alone
- 239: In that respect Rotha did not suffer
- 240: Said Rotha looking up with a flush
- 241: Busby might have come in between
- 242: Perhaps Rotha never enjoyed her Bible more
- 243: Busby was alone in her drawing room
- 244: Busby could question it for a moment
- 245: Rotha would expect no less of me
- 246: Busby with an appearance of candour
- 247: So you came to see about Rotha
- 248: Busby to her sister in the latter's time of need
- 249: When have you heard from Miss Carpenter
- 250: The very next train for Tanfield carried him northward
- 251: Rotha giving way just enough to allow of it
- 252: And Rotha was the one to break the silence
- 253: Said Rotha slowly and indignantly
- 254: And then I lived largely in the kitchen
- 255: How literally is that to be taken
- 256: Rotha stopped picking pears and stood still
- 257: But Prissy looked very unsuspicious
- 258: And Rotha came round with a start
- 259: Maybe Mis' Busby don't want her to go
- 260: Prissy looked significantly at Mr
- 261: Rotha put her hand upon her eyes
- 262: Southwode found again the Rotha of old
- 263: It put a kind of spell upon Rotha
- 264: Rotha felt somehow disappointed
- 265: Mowbray and all the memories connected with her
- 266: Rotha looked towards him a little doubtfully
- 267: Why because said Rotha faltering and flushing a little
- 268: Said Rotha laughing and flushing
- 269: Why had she come to Tanfield at all
- 270: We have kept our backs upon Tanfield generally
- 271: Rotha only knew that the horses quietly stopped
- 272: Rotha stood as still as death herself
- 273: Rotha hardly saw anything more
- 274: Rotha wondered that he could mean it
- 275: Rotha for the first time surveyed the ground
- 276: Either the hostler did his work with his eyes shut
- 277: You may add the phaeton to my bill
- 278: Rotha asked with a nervous laugh
- 279: Only one thing Rotha did not tell him
- 280: Said Rotha confusedly I will remember
- 281: Cried Rotha catching her breath
- 282: Digby Rotha made effort to say
- 283: You spoke hastily to me yesterday
- 284: After breakfast Rotha sat for a time meditating
- 285: Yes said Rotha with slight hesitation
- 286: Head and hand and foot redeemed
- 287: Rotha joined in the laugh at herself
- 288: You have read the Bible testimony yourself
- 289: If my principle were your principle
- 290: The Bible bids us not be forgetful to entertain strangers
- 291: They do not seem to me really restrictions
- 292: Said Rotha between crying and laughing
- 293: Rotha gave it as briefly as she could
- 294: Rotha felt the movings within her of a little rebellion
- 295: All as far as Rotha was concerned
- 296: And Rotha entered the sanctuary
- 297: Rotha did not change her position
- 298: Mowbray was delighted with her
- 299: Rotha did not mistake her friend's manner
- 300: An engrossing entertainment for Rotha
- 301: Poor Rotha passed both hands hastily over her face
- 302: Was that Rotha never could be teased
- 303: And Rotha will have her own way
- 304: Who thought a great deal of Rotha
