Chapter 28

There were days when Bessie had to put up with a lot from her uncle; but she loved him so much, and respected him so much, that she was intolerant of all others, while never returning an impatience rough word to him, and was rewarded by the affirmation of the depth and sincerity of his love for her, and of her aunt's whole dependence upon her for her kindness.

But one day--it was about the end of November--Bessie had a great deal of stamina which seemed more than usual and unreasonable on her uncle's behalf, and the fact was that one of Kirkby's cows was sick, and John Kirkby was doing well in the farm yard and Bessie was a concerned animal, and helped prepare a mash on their fire, which had to be heated for the sick creature.

Had John been out of the way, no one would have worried more about the issue than Nathan; whether because he was by nature good-hearted and warm-hearted, or because he was proud of his reputation for knowledge of the diseases of cattle, but as John