"We have journeyed together long, through good and bad," Ishmael at
length commenced: "much have we had to try us, and some bitter cups
have we been made to swallow, my woman; but nothing like this has ever
before lain in my path."
"It is a heavy cross for a poor, misguided, and sinful woman to bear!"
returned Esther, bowing her head to her knees, and partly concealing
her face in her dress. "A heavy and a burdensome weight is this to be
laid upon the shoulders of a sister and a mother!"
"Ay; therein lies the hardship of the case. I had brought my mind to
the punishment of that houseless trapper, with no great strivings, for
the man had done me few favours, and God forgive me if I suspected him
wrongfully of much evil! This is, however, bringing shame in at one
door of my cabin, in order to drive it out at the other. But shall a
son of mine be murdered, and he who did it go at large?--the boy would
never rest!"
"Oh, Ishmael, we pushed the matter far. Had little been said, who
would have been the wiser? Our consciences might then have been
quiet.
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