The Maidens of Walsingham - стр. 19
Cassie slept all day and did not wake until evening, tired and sad, but when Catherine gave her a large red apple, one of those sent by Viscount Wilworth, she cheered up and asked her sister to tell her a story.
– Sweetheart, why do you want these silly fairy tales? I'd rather read you the Scriptures instead, they're better than fairy tales," Catherine told her gently: she didn't approve of fictitious magic stories, so there were no books in the Glowford house except those containing religious texts.
– But I want to hear a fairy tale! – exclaimed Cassie capriciously, always hearing about them from the village children.
– A fairy tale is full of deceit and lies, and God doesn't like lies. He loves only the truth," Kate answered patiently. – But I can sing you a song, if you like.
– Yes, about the chickens! – Cassie said cheerfully.
Catherine did not approve of this "nonsense", but wishing to give her sick sister pleasure, this time strayed from her high principles not to sing such "vulgar" songs.
– There's a henhouse in our house
And the hens live in it.
But they've all run away.
Into the dark woods all…
Kate hesitated: the next word was not a good one, and she could not pronounce it.
– Dummies! – Cassie exclaimed excitedly, her face shining with happiness.
– They went out into the woods
Where the grey wolf was waiting for them
And he with his teeth
– Clang-clang-clang-clang! – Cassie put in again.
– And the hens…
But before Catherine could finish, Pastor Glowford entered the house.
– Daddy! Daddy! – Cassandra shouted joyfully and tried to jump up from the mattress, but her sister stopped her just in time:
– No, sweetheart, you're too weak. Father will come to you.
The pastor hurriedly threw off his shoes, changed into his home clothes and went into his daughters' room.
– Cassie, my angel, are you feeling better? – He asked affectionately, sitting down beside his daughter and stroking her head.
– Can I have another apple? – Cassie asked, grabbing her father's hand.
– Of course, you can. Catherine, wash an apple for her,' the pastor said to his eldest daughter.
– 'Will Chris have apples? – Cassie asked, looking lovingly at her father.
He took a deep breath and smiled: he was overwhelmed with love for his feeble-minded daughter.
– Daddy, will you have apples? – The girl asked again without getting an answer.
– No, dear, thank you, I've already eaten. Do you remember the new landlord who came to our church the day before yesterday?
– No.
– She was asleep that day," Kate whispered to her father, and handed her sister a washed apple, which she grabbed and chewed with pleasure.
– Lord Draymore has proved to be an honourable man: he has promised to rebuild our church," said Pastor to Cassie: he always told her everything, as if she could understand the importance of what he said.
– Is that a good thing? – Cassie asked, chewing an apple.
– It's very good, my dear," smiled her father. – But now we will listen to the Scripture and go to bed: we are all very tired and need rest.
– Where is Chris? – Kate asked suddenly. – She's still not here! She must be sitting on her rock again!
– She will be back soon: I sent her to the Coulters for milk; they promised to give Cassie some milk from their goat," the parson answered her.