Now therefore look to Dora; she is well To look to; thrifty too beyond her age. I will not marry Dora." Then the old man Was wroth, and doubled up his hands, and said: "You will not, boy! you dare to answer thus ! But in my time a father's word was law, And so it shall be now for me. Look to❜t; Consider, William: take a month to think, Or, by the Lord that made me, you shall pack, But William answer'd madly; bit his lips, And broke away. The more he look'd at her The less he liked her; and his ways were harsh But Dora bore them meekly. Then before ; The month was out he left his father's house, And hired himself to work within the fields; And half in love, half spite, he woo'd and wed A labourer's daughter, Mary Morrison. Then, when the bells were ringing, Allan call'd His niece and said: "My girl, I love you well; But if you speak with him that was my son, Or change a word with her he calls his wife, My home is none of yours. My will is law." And Dora promised, being meek. She thought, "It cannot be my uncle's mind will change!" And days went on, and there was born a boy To William; then distresses came on him; And day by day he pass'd his father's gate, Heart-broken, and his father help'd him not. But Dora stored what little she could save, And sent it them by stealth, nor did they know Who sent it; till at last a fever seized On William, and in harvest time he died. Then Dora went to Mary. Mary sat And look'd with tears upon her boy, and thought Hard things of Dora. Dora came and said : "I have obey'd my uncle until now, And I have sinn'd, for it was all thro' me This evil came on William at the first. But, Mary, for the sake of him that's gone, And I will set him in my uncle's eye Among the wheat; that when his heart is glad And bless him for the sake of him that's gone." And spied her not; for none of all his men But when the morrow came, she rose and took The child once more, and sat upon the mound; And came and said ; "Where were you yesterday? Whose child is that? So Dora cast her What are you doing here?" the ground, eyes upon And answer'd softly, "This is William's child!" “And did I not,” said Allan, “ did I not Forbid you, Dora?" Dora said again ; "Do with me as you will, but take the child And bless him for the sake of him that's gone!" And Allan said, "I see it is a trick Got up betwixt you and the woman there. I must be taught my duty, and by you! You knew my word was law, and yet you dared To slight it. Well-for I will take the boy; So saying, he took the boy, that cried aloud And struggled hard. The wreath of flowers fell At Dora's feet. She bow'd upon her hands, And the boy's cry came to her from the field, More and more distant. She bow'd down her head, Remembering the day when first she came, And all the things that had been. She bow'd down And wept in secret; and the reapers reap'd, And the sun fell, and all the land was dark. Then Dora went to Mary's house, and stood Upon the threshold. Was not with Dora. Mary saw the boy She broke out in praise To God, that help'd her in her widowhood. But if he will not take thee back again, |