You have health and spirits, which are the greatest blessings in
life. Who would believe, to look at you all, that you were the same
children that I brought away from Arnwood? You were then very
different from what you are now. You are strong and healthy, rosy and
brown, instead of being fair and delicate. Look at your sisters,
Edward. Do you think that any of your former friends--do you think
that Martha, who had the care of them, would know them?"
Edward smiled, and said, "Certainly not; especially in their present
dresses."
"Nor would, I think, Humphrey be known again. You, Edward, were always
a stout boy; and, except that you have grown very much, and are more
brown, there is no great difference. You would be known again, even in
your present forester's dress; but what I say is, that we ought to be
thankful to the Almighty that you, instead of being burned in your
beds, have found health, and happiness, and security, in a forester's
hut; and I ought to be, and am, most thankful to Heaven, that it has
pleased it to spare my life, and enable me to teach you all to the
present, how to gain your own livelihoods after I am called away. I
have been able so far to fulfill my promise to your noble father; and
you know not what a heavy load on my mind is every day lessened, as I
see each day that you are more and more able to provide for
yourselves.
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