DOI article:
Gissing, George: The foolish virgin
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27811#0028
24
The Foolish Virgin
Then, as if by blessed inspiration, a great thought took shape
in her despairing mind. At the still hour of night she suddenly
sat up in the darkness, which seemed illumined by a wondrous
hope. A few minutes motionless; the mental light grew dazzling ;
she sprang out of bed, partly dressed herself, and by the rays of a
candle sat down to write a letter :
DEAR MR. HUNT,
" Yesterday I did not tell you the whole truth. I have
nothing to live upon, and I find employment or starve. My
brother-in-law has been supporting me for a long time—I am ashamed
to tell you, but I KuYF, and he can do so no longer. I wanted to ask
you for practical advice, but I did not make my meaning clear. For
all that, you advise me, and very well indeed. I wish to offer
myself as domestic help to poor Mrs. Halliday. Do you think she
would have me ? I ask no wages—only food and lodging. I will
work harder and better than any general servants—I My
health is not bad, and I am fairly strong. Don't—don't throw scorn
on this! Will you recommend me to Mrs. Halliday—or ask Mrs.
Hunt to do so ? I beg that you will. Please write to me at once,
and say yes. I shall be ever grateful to you.
" Very sincerely yours,
" ROSAMUND JEWELL."
This she posted as early as possible. The agonies she endured
in waiting for a reply served to make her heedless of boarding-
house spite, and by the last post that same evening came Geoffrey's
letter. He wrote that her suggestion was startling. " Your
motive seems to me very praiseworthy, but whether the thing
would be possible is another question. I dare not take upon
myself the responsibility of counselling you to such a step.
Pray, take time, and think. I am most grieved to hear of your
difficulties, but is there not some better way out of them ? "
Yes,
The Foolish Virgin
Then, as if by blessed inspiration, a great thought took shape
in her despairing mind. At the still hour of night she suddenly
sat up in the darkness, which seemed illumined by a wondrous
hope. A few minutes motionless; the mental light grew dazzling ;
she sprang out of bed, partly dressed herself, and by the rays of a
candle sat down to write a letter :
DEAR MR. HUNT,
" Yesterday I did not tell you the whole truth. I have
nothing to live upon, and I find employment or starve. My
brother-in-law has been supporting me for a long time—I am ashamed
to tell you, but I KuYF, and he can do so no longer. I wanted to ask
you for practical advice, but I did not make my meaning clear. For
all that, you advise me, and very well indeed. I wish to offer
myself as domestic help to poor Mrs. Halliday. Do you think she
would have me ? I ask no wages—only food and lodging. I will
work harder and better than any general servants—I My
health is not bad, and I am fairly strong. Don't—don't throw scorn
on this! Will you recommend me to Mrs. Halliday—or ask Mrs.
Hunt to do so ? I beg that you will. Please write to me at once,
and say yes. I shall be ever grateful to you.
" Very sincerely yours,
" ROSAMUND JEWELL."
This she posted as early as possible. The agonies she endured
in waiting for a reply served to make her heedless of boarding-
house spite, and by the last post that same evening came Geoffrey's
letter. He wrote that her suggestion was startling. " Your
motive seems to me very praiseworthy, but whether the thing
would be possible is another question. I dare not take upon
myself the responsibility of counselling you to such a step.
Pray, take time, and think. I am most grieved to hear of your
difficulties, but is there not some better way out of them ? "
Yes,