第11章

"Oh！AuntBoynton！"criedtheboy，"IlovemynameafterI’veheardaboutthealmondrod！

Aren’tyouproudthatit’sUncle’snamethatwaswrittenontheonethatblossomed？"

Heturnedswiftlytofindthathisaunt’sknittinghadslippedonthefloor；hernervelesshandsdroopedbyhersideasiftherewerenolifeinthem，andherheadhadfallenagainstthebackofherchair。Theboywasparalyzedwithfearatthesightofherclosedeyesandthedeathlypallorofherface。Hehadneverseenherlikethisbefore，andIvorywasaway。Heflewforabottleofspirit，alwayskeptinthekitchencupboardforemergencies，andthrowingwoodonthefireinpassing，heswungthecranesothatthetea—kettlewasovertheflame。Heknewonlythehumbleremediesthathehadseenusedhereorthereinillness，andtriedthemtimidly，prayingeverymomentthathemighthearIvory’sstep。Hewarmedasoapstoneintheembers，andtakingoffMrs。Boynton’sshoes，putitunderhercoldfeet。Hechafedherhandsandgentlypouredaspoonfulofbrandybetweenherpalelips。Thensprinklingcamphoronahandkerchiefheheldittohernostrilsandtohisjoyshestirredinherchair；beforemanyminutesherlidsfluttered，herlipsmoved，andsheputherhandtoherheart。

"Areyoubetter，Auntdear？"Rodaskedinaverywaveringandtearfulvoice。

Shedidnotanswer；sheonlyopenedhereyesandlookedathim。

Atlengthshewhisperedfaintly，"IwantIvory；Iwantmyson。"

"He’sout，Auntdear。ShallIhelpyoutobedthewayIvorydoes？

Ifyou’llletme，thenI’llruntothebridge’crosslots，likelightning，andbringhimback。"

Sheassented，andleaningheavilyonhisslendershoulder，walkedfeeblyintoherbedroomofftheliving—room。Rodwasasgentleasamotherandhewasfamiliarwithallthelittleofficesthatcouldbeofanycomfort；thesoapstonewarmedagainforherfeet，thebringingofhernightgownfromthecloset，andwhenshewasinbed，anotherspoonfulofbrandyinhotmilk；thenthecamphorbyherside，anextrahomespunblanketoverher，andthedoorleftopensothatshecouldseetheopenfirethathemadeintoacheerfulhuddlescontrivedsothatitwouldnotsnapandthrowoutdangeroussparksinhisabsence。

AllthewhilehewasdoingthisMrs。Boyntonlayquietlyinthebedtalkingtoherselffitfully，inthefaintmurmuringtonethatwashabitualtoher。Hecoulddistinguishscarcelyanything，onlyenoughtoguessthathermindwasstillontheBiblestorythathewasreadingtoherwhenshefainted。"THERODOFAARONWAS

AMONGTHEOTHERRODS，"heheardhersay；and，amomentlater，"BRINGAARON’SRODAGAINBEFORETHETESTIMONY。"

Wasithisuncle’snamethathadsoaffectedher，wonderedtheboy，almostsickwithremorse，althoughhehadtriedhisbesttoevadehercommandtoreadthechapteraloud？WhatwouldIvory，hishero，hispatternandexample，say？IthadalwaysseenRod’spridetocarryhislittleshareofeveryburdenthatfelltoIvory，tobefaithfulandhelpfulineverytaskgiventohim。Hecouldwalkthroughfirewithoutflinching，hethought，ifIvorytoldhimto，andheonlyprayedthathemightnotbeheldresponsibleforthisnewcalamity。

"IwantIvory！"cameinafeeblevoicefromthebedroom。

"Doesyoursideacheworse？"Rodasked，tip—toeingtothedoor。

"No，Iamquitefreefrompain。"

"WouldyoubeafraidtostayalonejustforawhileifIlockbothdoorsandruntofindIvoryandbringhimback？"

"No，Iwillsleep，"shewhispered，closinghereyes。"BringhimquicklybeforeIforgetwhatIwanttosaytohim。"

RodspeddownthelaneandoverthefieldstothebrickstorewhereIvoryusuallyboughthisgroceries。Hiscousinwasnotthere，butoneofthemencameoutandofferedtotakehishorseanddriveoverthebridgetoseeifhewereatoneoftheneighbors’onthatsideoftheriver。NotaworddidRodbreatheofhisaunt’sillness；hesimplysaidthatshewaslonesomeforIvory，andsohecametofindhim。InfiveminutestheysawtheBoyntonhorsehitchedtoatreebytheroad—side，andinatriceRodcalledhimand，thankingMr。Bixby，gotintoIvory’swagontowaitforhim。Hetriedhisbesttoexplainthesituationastheydrovealong，butfinallyconcludedbysaying："Auntreallymademereadthechaptertoher，Ivory。ItriednottowhenIsawUncle’snameinmosteveryverse，butIcouldn’thelpit。"

"Ofcourseyoucouldn’t！NowyoujumpoutandhitchthehorsewhileIruninandseethatnothinghashappenedwhileshe’sbeenleftalone。Perhapsyou’11havetogoforDr。Perry。"

Ivorywentinwithfearandtrembling，fortherewasnosoundsavethetickingofthetallclock。Thefireburnedlowuponthehearth，andthedoorwasopenintohismother’sroom。HeliftedacandlethatRodhadleftreadyonthetableandstolesoftlytoherbedside。Shewassleepinglikeachild，butexhaustionshoweditselfineverylineofherface。Hefeltherhandsandfeetandfoundthesoapstoneinthebed；sawthebrandybottleandtheremainsofacupofmilkonthelight—stand；notedthehandkerchief，stillstrongofcamphoronthecounterpane，andtheblanketspreadcarefullyoverherknees，andthenturnedapprovinglytomeetRodstealingintotheroomontiptoe，hiseyesbigwithfear。

"Wewon’twakeher，Rod。I’llwatchawhile，thensleeponthesitting—roomlounge。"

"Letmewatch，Ivory！I’dfeelbetterifyou’dletme，honestI

would！"

Theboy’sfacewasdrawnwithanxiety。Ivory’sattentionwasattractedbythewistfuleyesandthebeautyoftheforeheadunderthedarkhair。Heseemedsomethingmorethanthechildofyesterday——acareandresponsibilityandexpense，forallhislovingobedience；heseemedallatoncedifferentto—night；

older，moredependable，moretrustworthy；infact，apositivecomfortandhelpintimeoftrouble。

"IdidthebestIknewhow；wasanythingwrong？"askedtheboy，asIvorystoodregardinghimwithafriendlysmile。

"Nothingwrong，Rod！Dr。Perrycouldn’thavedoneanybetterwithwhatyouhadonhand。Idon’tknowhowIshouldgetalongwithoutyou，boy！"HereIvorypattedRod’sshoulder。"You’renotachildanylonger，Rod；you’reamanandabrother，that’swhatyouare；

andtoproveitI’lltakethefirstwatchandcallyouupatoneo’clocktotakethesecond，sothatIcanbereadyformyschoolworkto—morrow！Howdoesthatsuityou？"

"Tip—top！"saidtheboy，flushingwithpride。"I’llliedownwithmyclotheson；it’sonlynineo’clockandI’llgetfourhours’

sleep；that’salotmorethanNapoleonusedtohave！"

HecarriedtheBibleupstairsandjustbeforeheblewouthiscandlehelookedagainatthechapterinNumbers，thinkinghewouldshowittoIvoryprivatelynextday。Againthestoryenchantedhim，andagain，likeachild，heputhisownnameandhislivingselfamongtherodsinthetabernacle。

"Ivorywouldbetheprinceofourhouse，"hethought。"Oh！howI’dliketobeIvory’srodandhaveitbetheonethatwaschosentoblossomandkeeptherebelsfrommurmuring！"

XXI

LOISBURIESHERDEAD

THErepliesthatIvoryhadreceivedfromhislettersofinquiryconcerninghisfather’smovementssinceleavingMaine，andhispossibledeathintheWest，leftnoreasonableroomfordoubt。

TracesofAaronBoyntoninNewHampshire，inMassachusetts，inNewYork，andfinallyinOhio，allpointedinonedirection，andalthoughthereweregapsanddiscrepanciesintheaccountofhisdoings，thefactofhisdeathseemedtobeestablishedbytwoapparentlyreliablewitnesses。

Thathewasnotunaccompaniedinhisearliestmigrationsseemedclear，butthewomanmentionedashiswifedisappearedsuddenlyfromthereports，andthestoryofhislastdayswasthestoryofabroken—down，melancholy，unfriendedman，dependentforthelastofficesonstrangers。Heleftnomessagesandnopapers，saidIvory’scorrespondent，andnevermadementionofanyfamilyconnectionswhatsoever。Hehadnopropertyandnomeansofdefrayingtheexpensesofhisillnessafterhewasstrickenwiththefever。Noletterswerefoundamonghispooreffectsandnoarticlethatcouldprovehisidentity，unlessitwereasmallgoldlocket，whichborenoinitialsormarksofanykind，butwhichcontainedtwolocksoffairandbrownhair，intertwined。

Thetinytrinketwasenclosedintheletter，asofnovalue，unlesssomeonerecognizeditasakeepsake。

Ivoryreadthecorrespondencewithaheavyheart，inasmuchasitcorroboratedallhisworstfears。Hehadsometimessecretlyhopedthathisfathermightreturnandexplainthereasonofhissilence；orinlieuofthat，thattheremightcometolightthestoryofapilgrimage，fanatical，perhaps，butinnocentofevilintention，onethatcouldberelatedtohiswifeandhisformerfriends，andthenburiedforeverwiththedeaththathadendedit。

Neitherofthesehopescouldnoweverberealized，norhisfather’smemorymadeotherthanacauseforendlessregret，sorrow，andshame。Hisfather，whohadbegunlifesohandsomely，withraregiftsofmindandpersonality，awifeofunusualbeautyandintelligence，andwhilestillyounginyears，aconsiderablesuccessinhischosenprofession。Hispoorfather！Whatcouldhavebeenthereasonsforsocompleteadownfall？

IvoryaskedDr。Perry’sadviceaboutshowingoneortwoofthebrieferlettersandthelockettohismother。Afterherfaintingfitandtheexhaustionthatfollowedit，Ivorybeggedhertoseetheolddoctor，butwithoutavail。Finally，afterdaysofpleadinghetookherhandsinhisandsaid："Idoeverythingamortalmancandotobeagoodsontoyou，mother；won’tyoudothistopleaseme，andtrustthatIknowwhatisbest？"Whereuponshegaveatremblingassent，asifshewereagreeingtosomethingindescribablypainful，andindeedthissightofaformerfriendseemedtofrightenherstrangely。

AfterDr。Perryhadtalkedwithherforahalf—hourandexaminedhersufficientlytomakeatleastareasonableguessastohermentalandphysicalcondition，headvisedIvorytobreakthenewsofherhusband’sdeathtoher。

"Ifyoucangethertocomprehendit，"hesaid，"itisboundtobearelieffromthisterriblesuspense。"

"Willtherebeanydangerofmakingherworse？Mightn’ttheshockCausetooviolentemotion？"askedIvoryanxiously。

"Idon’tthinksheisanylongercapableofviolentemotion，"thedoctoranswered。Hermindiscertainlyclearerthanitwasthreeyearsago，butherbodyisnearlyburnedawaybythementalconflict。Thereisscarcelyanypartofherbutisweary；wearyuntodeath，poorsoul。Onecannotlookatherpatient，lovelyfacewithoutlongingtoliftsomepartofherburden。Makeatrial，Ivory；it’sajustifiableexperimentandIthinkitwillsucceed。Imustnotcomeanyoftenermyselfthanisabsolutelynecessary；sheseemedafraidofme。"

Theexperimentdidsucceed。LoisBoyntonlistenedbreathlessly，withpartedlips，andwithapparentcomprehension，tothestoryIvorytoldher。Overandoveragainhetoldhergentlythestoryofherhusband’sdeath，tryingtomakeitsinkintohermindclearly，sothatthereshouldbenoconsequentbewildermentShewascalmandsilent，thoughherfaceshowedthatshewasdeeplymoved。ShebrokedownonlywhenIvoryshowedherthelocket。

"Igaveittomyhusbandwhenyouwereborn，myson！"shesobbed。

"Afterall，itseemsnosurprisetomethatyourfatherisdead。

HesaidhewouldcomebackwhentheMayflowersbloomed，andwhenIsawtheautumnleavesIknewthatsixmonthsmusthavegoneandhewouldneverstayawayfromusforsixmonthswithoutwriting。

ThatisthereasonIhaveseldomwatchedforhinttheselastweeks。Imusthaveknownthatitwasnouse！"

Sherosefromherrocking—chairandmovedfeeblytowardsherbedroom。"Canyousparemetherestoftheday，Ivory？"shefaltered，assheleanedonhersonandmadeherslowprogressfromthekitchen。"ImustburythebodyofmygriefandIwanttobealoneatfirst……IfonlyIcouldseeWaitstill！Wehaveboththoughtthiswascoming：shehasawoman’sinstinct……sheisyoungerandstrongerthanIam，andshesaiditwasbravernottowatchandpineandfretasIhavedone……buttohavefaithinGodthatHewouldsendmeasignwhenHewasready……ShesaidifIcouldmanagetobebraveryouwouldbehappiertoo……"Hereshesankontoherbedexhausted，butstillkeptuphermurmuringfaintlyandfeebly，betweenlongintervalsofsilence。

"DoyouthinkWaitstillcouldcometo—morrow？"sheasked。"Iamsomuchbraverwhensheisherewithme……AftersupperI

willputawayyourfather’scupandplateonceandforall，Ivory，andyoureyesneedneverfillwithtearsagain，astheyhave，sometimes，whenyouhaveseenmewatching……Youneedn’tworryaboutme；Iamrememberingbetterthesedays，andthebellsthatringinmyearsarenotsoloud。IfonlythepaininmysidewerelessandIwerenotsopressedforbreath，I

shouldbequitestrongandcouldseeeverythingclearlyatlast……Thereissomethingelsethatremainstoberemembered。I

havealmostcaughtitonceanditmustcometomeagainbeforelong……Putthelocketundermypillow，Ivory；closethedoor，please，andleavemetomyself……Ican’tmakeitquiteclear，myfeelingaboutit，butitseemsjustasifIweregoingtoburyyourfatherandIwanttobealone。"

XXII

HARVEST—TIME

NEWENGLAND’Sannualpageantofautumnwasbeingunfoldeddaybydayinallitsaccustomedsplendor，andthefeastandriotofcolor，thealmostunimaginableglory，wasthecommonpropertyofthewholecountryside，richandpoor，tobesharedalikeifperchancealleyeswereequallyalivetothewonderandthebeauty。

Scarletdaysanddaysofgoldfollowedfastoneupontheother；

SacoWaterflowingbetweenquietwoodlandsthatwereturningredandrussetandbrown，andnowplungingthroughrockybanksallblazingwithcrimson。

WaitstillBaxterwentasoftenasshecouldtotheBoyntonfarm，thoughneverwhenIvorywasathome，andtheaffectionbetweentheyoungerandtheolderwomangrewcloserandcloser，sothatitalmostbrokeWaitstill’shearttoleavethefragilecreature，whenherpresenceseemedtobringsuchcompletepeaceandjoy。

"Nooneeverclungtomesobefore，"sheoftenthoughtasshewashurryingacrossthefieldsafteroneofherhalf—hourvisits。

"Buttheendmustcomebeforelong。Ivorydoesnotrealizeityet，norRodman，butitseemsasifshecouldneversurvivethelongwinter。ThanksgivingDayisdrawingnearerandnearer，andhowlittleIamabletodoforasinglecreature，toprovetoGodthatIamgratefulformyexistence！Icould，ifonlyIwerefree，makesuchamerrydayforPattyandMarkandtheiryoungfriends。Oh！whatjoyiffatherwereamanwhowouldletmesetabountifultableinourgreatkitchen；wouldsitattheheadandsaygrace，andwecouldbowourheadsoverthecloth，aunitedfamily！Or，ifIhaddonemydutyinmyhomeandcouldgotothatotherwhereIamsoneeded——gowithmyfather’sblessing！IfonlyIcouldliveinthatsadlittlehouseandbrightenit！Iwouldtrimtheroomswithevergreenandcreeping—Jenny；Iwouldputscarletalderberriesandwhiteever—lastingsandbluefringedgentiansinthevases！IwouldputthelastbrightautumnleavesnearMrs。Boynton’sbedandsetoutatraywithadamasknapkinandthebestofmycooking；thenIwouldgoouttothebackdoorwherethewoodbinehangslikearedwaterfallandblowthedinner—hornformymendownintheharvest—field！Allthewomaninmeiswasting，wasting！Oh！mydear，dearman，howIlongforhim！Oh！myowndearman，myhelpmate，shallIeverlivebyhisside？Ilovehim，Iwanthim，Ineedhim！

Andmydearlittleunmothered，unfatheredboy，howhappyIcouldmakehim！HowIshouldlovetocookandsewforthemallandwrapthemincomfort！HowIshouldlovetosmoothmydearmother’slastdays，——forsheismymother，inspirit，inaffection，indesire，andinbeingIvory’s！"

Waitstill’slonging，herdiscouragement，herhelplessness，overcameherwholly，andsheflungherselfdownunderatreeinthepastureinaverypassionofsobbing，aluxuryinwhichshecouldseldomaffordtoindulgeherself。Theluxurywasshort—lived，forinfiveminutessheheardRodman’svoice，andheardhimrunningtomeetherasheoftendidwhenshecametotheirhouseorwentawayfromit，doggingherfootstepsorPatty’swheneverorwhereverhecouldwaylaythem。

"Why，mydear，dearWaity，didyoutumbleandhurtyourself？"theboycried。

"Yes，dreadfully，butI’mbetternow，sowalkalongwithmeandtellmethenews，Rod。"

"Thereisn’tmuchnews。IvorytoldyouI’dleftschoolandamstudyingathome？HehelpsmeeveningsandI’m’wayaheadoftheclass。"

"No，Ivorydidn’ttellme。Ihaven’tseenhimlately。"

"Isaidifthebigbrotherkeptschool，thelittlebrotheroughttokeephouse，"laughedtheboy。

"HesaysIcanhireoutasacookprettysoon！AuntBoynton’s’mostalwaysuptogetdinnerandsupper，butIcanmakelotsofthingsnow，——thingsthatAuntBoyntoncaneat，too。"

"Oh，IcannotbeartohaveyouandIvorycookingforyourselves！"

exclaimedWaitstill，thetearsstartingagainfromhereyes。"I

mustcomeoverthenexttimewhenyouareathome，Rod，andIcanhelpyoumakesomethingniceforsupper。

"Wegetalongprettywell，"saidRodmancontentedly。"Ilovebook—learninglikeIvoryandI’mgoingtobeaschoolmasterorapreacherwhenIvory’salawyer。DoyouthinkPatty’dlikeaschoolmasterorapreacherbest，anddoyouthinkI’dbetooyoungtomarryherbyandby，ifshewouldwaitforme？"

"Ididn’tthinkyouhadanyideaofmarryingPatty，"laughedWaitstillthroughhertears。"Isthissomethingnew？"

"It’snotexactlynew，"saidRod，jumpingalonglikeasquirrelinthepath。"NobodycouldlookatPattyandnotthinkaboutmarryingher。I’dlovetomarryyou，too，butyouretoobigandgrandforaboy。Ofcourse，I’mnotgoingtoaskPattyyet。Ivorysaidonceyoushouldneveraskagirluntilyoucankeepherlikeaqueen；thenafteraminutehesaid：’Well，maybenotquitelikeaqueen，Rod，forthatwouldmeanlongerthanamancouldwait。

Shallwesayuntilhecouldkeepherlikethedearestladyintheland？’That’sthewayhesaidit。——Youdocrydreadfullyeasyto—day，Waity；I’msureyoubarkedyourlegorskinnedyourkneewhenyoufelldown。——Don’tyouthinkthe’dearestladyintheland’isanice—soundingsentence？"

"Ido，indeed！"criedWaitstilltoherselfassheturnedthewordsoverandovertryingtofeedherhungryheartwiththem。

"IlovetohearIvorytalk；it’slikethestoriesinthebooks。

Wehaveourbesttimesinthebarn，forI’mhelpingwiththemilking，now。Ouryellowcow’snameisMollyandtheredcowusedtobeDolly，butwechangedhertoGolly，’causeshe’ssotroublesome。Molly’saneasycowtomilkandIcangetalmostallthereis，thoughIvorycomesaftermeandtakesthestrippings。

Gollyswisheshertailandkickstheminuteshehearsuscoming；

thenshestandsstiff—leggedandgritsherteethandholdsontohermilkHARD，andIvoryhastopatandsmoothandcoaxhereverysingletime。Ivorysaysshe’sgotakindofanattachmentinsideofherthatsheshutsdownwhenhebeginstomilk。"

"Wehadacrossoldcowlikethat，once，"saidWaitstillabsently，lovingtoheartheboy’schatterandtheeternalquotationsfromhisbelovedhero。

"Wehavegreatfuncooking，too，"continuedRod。"WhenAuntBoyntonwasfirstsickshestayedinbedmore，andIvoryandI

hadn’tgotusedtothings。Onemorningweboundupeachother’sburns。IvoryhadthreefingersandItwo，doneupinbutteryragstotakethefireout。Ivorycalledus’SoldiersdressingtheirWoundsaftertheBattle。’Sausagesspatterdreadfully，don’tthey？Andwhenyouturnapancakeitflopsontopofthestove。

Canyoufloponestraight，Waity？"

"Yes，Ican，straightasadie；that’swhatgirlsaremadefor。

Nowrunalonghometoyourbigbrother，anddoputonsomewarmerclothesunderyourcoat；theweather’sgettingcolder。"

"AuntBoyntonhasn’tpatchedourthickonesyet，butshewillsoon，andifshedoesn’t，Ivory’lltakethisSaturdayeveninganddothemhimself；hesaidso。"

"Heshallnot！"criedWaitstillpassionately。"ItisnotseemlyforIvorytosewandmend，andIwillnotallowit。Youshallbringmethosethingsthatneedpatchingwithouttellinganyone，doyouhear，andIwillmeetyouontheedgeofthepastureSaturdayafternoonandgivethembacktoyou。Youarenottospeakofittoanyone，youunderstand，orperhapsIshallpoundyoutoajelly。You’dmakeasweetrosyjellytoeatwithturkeyforThanksgivingdinner，youdear，comfortinglittleboy！"

RodmanrantowardshomeandWaitstillhurriedalong，scarcelynoticingthebeautiesofthewoodsandfieldsandwaysides，allglowingmassesofgoldenrodandpurplefrostflowers。Thestonewallswerecoveredwithwild—grapeandfeatheryclematisvines。

Everywhereinsightthecornfieldslayyellowintheafternoonsunandoxcartsheavilyloadedwithfullgoldenearsweregoinghometothebarnstobereadyforhusking。

Asuddenbreezeamongtheorchardboughsasshenearedthehousewasfollowedbyashowerofrussets，andeverywheretheredBaldwinsgleamedontheapple—treeboughs，whilethewind—fallswerebeinggatheredandtakentothecidermills。TherewasagroveofmaplesonthetopofTown—HouseHillandtheBaxters’

dooryardwasablazeofbrilliantcolor。ToseePattystandingunderalittlerockmaple，herbrownlinsey—woolseyinIonewiththelandscape，andthehoodofherbrowncapepulledoverherbrighthead，wasawelcomeforanybody。Shelookedflushedandexcitedassheranuptohersisterandsaid，"Waity，darling，you’vebeencrying！Hasfatherbeenscoldingyou？"

"No，dear，butmyheartisachingto—daysothatIcanscarcelybearit。AwaveofdiscouragementcameovermeasIwaswalkingthroughthewoods，andIgaveuptoitabit。IrememberedhowsoonitwillbeThanksgivingDay，andI’llsoliketomakeithappierforyouandafewothersthatIlove。"

Pattycouldhavegivenashrewdguessastothechiefcauseoftheheartache，butsheforeboretoaskanyquestions。"Cheerup，Waity，"shecried。"Younevercantell；wemayhaveathankfulThanksgiving，afterall！Whoknowswhatmayhappen？I’m’strungup’thisafternoonandinafightingmood。I’vefeltlikeanewpieceofsnappywhiteelasticallday；it’stheair，justlikewine，socoolandstingingandfullofcourage！Oh，yes，wewon’tgiveuphopeyetawhile，Waity，notuntilwe’resnowedin！"

"Putyourarmsroundmeandgivemeagoodhug，Patty！Lovemehard，HARD，for，oh！Ineeditbadlyjustnow！"

Andthetwogirlsclungtogetherforamomentandthenwentintothehousewithhandsclose—lockedandakindofsad，desperatecourageintheiryounghearts。Whatwouldeitherofthemhavedone，eachofthemthought，hadshebeenforcedtoendurealonethelifethatwentondayafterdayinDeaconBaxter’sdrearyhouse？

XXIII

AUNTABBY’SWINDOW

MRS。ABELDAYhadcometospendtheafternoonwithAuntAbbyColeandtheywereseatedatthetwositting—roomwindows，sweepingtheland—

scapewitheagleeyesintheintervalsofmakingpatchwork。

"Thefoliagehasbeenalittlemitetoorichthisseason，"

remarkedAuntAbby。"Ib’lieveI’mgladtoseeitthinin’outsome，so’twecanhavesomekindofanideeofwhat’sgoin’oninthevillage。"

"There’splentygoin’on，"Mrs。Dayansweredunctuously；"someofitaboveboardan’someunderneathit。"

"An’that’sjestwhereit’saggravatin’tohavetheleavessothickandthetreessohighbetweenyouandotherfolks’houses。

Treesaregoodforshade，it’strue，butthere’salimittoallthings。TherewasatimewhenIcouldsee’boutevery—thingthatwentonuptoBaxters’，anddowntoBart’sshop，and，bygoin’upattic，consid’ablemanythingsthathappenedonthebridge。Bartvowsheneverplantedthatplumtreeatthebackdoorofhisshop；saysthechildrenmusthavehoveoutplumstoneswhentheywassettin’onthestepsandthetreecomeupofitsownaccord。

Hesayshedidn’ttakeanynoticeofittillitgotquiteastartandthen’twassuchahealthyyoungbushhecouldn’tbeartorootitout。Itellhimit’skindO’queeritshouldhappentocomeupjestwhereitspoilsmyviewofhispremises。Menfolksaresoexasperatin’thatsometimesIwishtherewassomebodydifferentforustomarry，butthereain’t，——sotherewebe！"

"Theyareanawfultrial，"admittedMrs。Day。"Abelneversympathizeswithmyhead—aches。Itoldhima—SundayIdidn’tbelievehe’dmindifIdiedthenextday，an’allhesaidwas：

’Whydon’tyoutryitan’see，Lyddy？’Hethinksthat’shumorous。"

"Iknow；that’sthewayBartholomewtalks；Iguesstheyalldo。

Youcanseethebridgebetter’nIcan，Lyddy；hasMarkWilsondroveoversenceyou’vebeensettin’there？He’slikeoneo’themostrichesthathidestheirheadsinthesandwhenthebird—catchersarecomin’along，thinkin’’causetheycan’tseeanythingthey’llneverBEseen！HeknowsfolkswouldnevertelltalestoDeaconBaxter，whateverthegirlsdone；theyhatehimtoobad。LawyerWilsonlivessofaraway，hecan’tkeepanywatcho’Mark，an’Mis’Wilson’ssocityfiedan’purse—proudnobodyevergoestoherwithanynews，badorgood；sothemthat’sthemostconcernedisasblindasbats。Mark’sconsid’ablestiddier’nheusedtobe，butyouneedn’ttellmehehasanynotionofbringin’oneo’thatBaxtertribeintohisfamily。He’sonlyamusin’himself。"

Patty’llbeMrs。Wilsonornothin’，"wasMrs。Day’sresponse。

"Botho’themgirlsissilkpursesan’youcan’tmakesows’earsof’em。Weain’tneitherofushardlyfairtoPatty，an’Is’poseit’sbecauseshedidn’tsetanypropervalueonCephas。"

"Oh，she’sgoodenoughforMark，Iguess，thoughIain’tsosureofhisintentionsasyoube。She’snobody’sfool，Pattyain’t，I

allowthat，thoughshedidtreatCephaslikethedirtintheroad。I’mthankfulhe’scometohissensesan’foundoutthediff’rencebetweendrossan’gold。"

"It’sverygoodofyoutoputitthatway，Abby，"Mrs。Dayrespondedgratefully，foritwasPhoebe，herownoffspring，whowasalludedtoasthemostpreciousofmetals。"Isupposewe’dbetterhavethepublishingnoticeputupintheframebeforeSunday？There’llbeagreatcrowdoutthatdayandatThanksgivingservicethenextThursdaytoo！"

"Cephassayshedon’tcarehowsoonfolkshearsthenews，nowall’ssettled，"saidhismother。"Iguesshe’skindofanxiousthatthevillageshouldknowjesthowlittletruththereisinthegossip’bouthimbein’allupsetoverPatienceBaxter。Hesaidtheytookconsid’ablenoticeofhiman’Phoebesettin’

togetherattheHarvestFestivallastevenin’。HethoughttheBaxtergirlswouldbethereforcertain，butIs’poseOldFoxywouldn’tlet’emgouptotheMillsintheevenin’，norspendaquarterontheirtickets。"

"MarkcouldhaveinvitedPattyan’paidforherticket，Ishouldthink；orpassedherinfree，forthatmatter，whentheWilsonsgotuptheentertainment；but，ofcourse，theDeaconneverallowshisgirlstogoanywhereswithmen—folks。"