All in the house were looking to your visit with
eagerness. Papa says he highly approves of my friendship with you,
and he wishes me to continue it through life."
A good neighbour of the Brontes--a clever, intelligent Yorkshire woman,
who keeps a druggist's shop in Haworth, and from her occupation, her
experience, and excellent sense, holds the position of village doctress
and nurse, and, as such, has been a friend, in many a time of trial, and
sickness, and death, in the households round--told me a characteristic
little incident connected with Tabby's fractured leg. Mr. Bronte is
truly generous and regardful of all deserving claims. Tabby had lived
with them for ten or twelve years, and was, as Charlotte expressed it,
"one of the family." But on the other hand, she was past the age for any
very active service, being nearer seventy than sixty at the time of the
accident; she had a sister living in the village; and the savings she had
accumulated, during many years' service, formed a competency for one in
her rank of life. Or if, in this time of sickness, she fell short of any
comforts which her state rendered necessary, the parsonage could supply
them. So reasoned Miss Branwell, the prudent, not to say anxious aunt;
looking to the limited contents of Mr. Bronte's purse, and the unprovided-
for-future of her nieces; who were, moreover, losing the relaxation of
the holidays, in close attendance upon Tabby.
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