Fidelia had too much real strength of character long to yield willingly
to sorrow or to the pain of rebellion. She had the sense to see that
her sadness depressed her sister, and did her harm.
She could not "make believe" to be happy and light-hearted as of old,
but after a time she did try to accept the circumstances of her life as
it seemed to lie before her, and to determine to make the best of it;
and Eunice was content to wait patiently till a better peace on a surer
foundation should be hers. And help came to Fidelia, after a time, in a
way not foreseen.
They were all expected to spend Thanksgiving Day at Dr Everett's. That
is, they were to go to church in the morning, and return to dine early
with the Everetts, intending to be home before dark. There was a little
change in the plan, however. At the church they met Mrs Pease, the
sister of Ezra Stone, who invited Mrs Stone to go home with her and
keep Thanksgiving with "her own folks at the old place;" and Mrs Stone
accepted the invitation, though it seemed rather like leaving "her own
folks" to do so.
Mrs Pease had not been any too friendly hitherto and her sister-in-law
was too glad to meet her halfway. So she gave up the pleasure she had
been promising herself at Dr Everett's, and went with her. Her kind
heart had been touched by the sight of the boys growing up there "on
father's old place," as she always called it to herself, and she longed
for a chance to do them good, for the sake of the boys she had lost, and
who were lying beside their father and their little sister far away in
the West. So she gladly went.
All Thanksgiving Days and dinners are alike in most respects in homes
were nothing very sorrowful has happened since the last one. It was in
all respects a delightful day at Dr Everett's. It was very mild for
the season, and the young people went out and in, and amused themselves
in various ways, and, without making any definite plan to that end, had
a good time.
"Fidelia seems to be growing more cheerful again," said the doctor, as
the sound of gay voices came to them where they were sitting in the
house.
"Yes; I hope it will be well with her after awhile. I am not afraid for
her," said Eunice. But though she smiled she sighed also; and then she
added--"I would have liked to live a little longer for her sake."
"You may live many years yet, as Justin says. With a quiet life, such
as you live, you may be well, though not strong, for years to come. You
may see your sister's children yet before you die."
Eunice shook her head.
"No; I do not look for that. And I don't think Justin quite knows."
"You are not feeling worse, Eunice?"
"No--oh, no! I am better in many ways. I do not trouble myself about
my health any more. I hope I am willing either to stay or to go. As
for my Fidelia--why, she will be as safe, and by-and-by she will be as
happy without me as with me, thank God!"