Work: A Story of Experience - Chapter 11

FROM that day a new life began for Christie, a happy, quiet, useful life, utterly ¹ unlike any of the brilliant futures ² she had planned for herself; yet indescribably pleasant to her now, for past experience had taught her its worth, and made her ready to enjoy it., ,Never had spring seemed so early or so fair, never had such a crop of hopeful thoughts and happy feelings sprung up in her heart as now; and nowhere was there a brighter face, a blither voice, or more willing hands than Christie's when the apple blossoms came., ,This was what she needed, the protection of a home, wholesome ³ cares and duties; and, best of all, friends to live and labor ⁴ for, loving and beloved. Her whole soul was in her work now, and as health returned, much of the old energy and cheerfulness came with it, a little sobered, but more sweet and earnest than ever. No task was too hard or humble ⁵; no day long enough to do all she longed to do; and no sacrifice would have seemed too great for those whom she regarded with steadily ⁶ increasing love and gratitude ⁷., , ,The house-work of this small family was soon done, and then Christie went to tasks that she liked better. Much out-of-door life was good for her, and in garden and green-house there was plenty of light labor she could do. So she grubbed contentedly ¹² in the wholesome earth, weeding and potting, learning to prune ¹³ and bud, and finding Mrs. Wilkins was quite right in her opinion of the sanitary ¹⁴ virtues ¹⁶ of dirt., ,Trips to town to see the good woman and carry country gifts to the little folks; afternoon drives with Mrs. Sterling in the old-fashioned chaise, drawn ¹⁷ by the Roman-nosed horse, and Sunday pilgrimages to church to be "righted up" by one of Mr. Power's stirring sermons, were among her new pleasures. But, on the whole, the evenings were her happiest times: for then David read aloud while she worked; she sung to the old piano tuned ¹⁸ for her use; or, better still, as spring came on, they sat in the porch, and talked as people only do talk when twilight ¹⁹, veiling the outer world, seems to lift the curtains of that inner world where minds go exploring, hearts learn to know one another, and souls walk together in the cool of the day., ,I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了 。,He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易
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