old lady number 31 by forsslund, louise, 1873-1910

8/14/2019 Old Lady Number 31 by Forsslund, Louise, 1873-1910

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TheProjectGutenbergeBook,OldLadyNumber31,byLouiseForsslund

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Title:OldLadyNumber31

Author:LouiseForsslund

ReleaseDate:November15,2003[eBook#10087]

Language:English

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***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKOLDLADYNUMBER31***

E-textpreparedbyKevinHandy,DaveMaddock,andtheProjectGutenbergOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam

OLDLADYNUMBER31

BYLOUISEFORSSLUND

AUTHOROF"THESTORYOFSARAH,""THESHIPOFDREAMS,"ETC.

1909

TOMYMOTHER

CONTENTS

I.THETEA-TABLE

II."GOOD-BY"

III.THECANDIDATE

IV.ONEOFTHEM


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V.THEHEADOFTHECORNER

VI.INDIANSUMMER

VII.OLDLETTERSANDNEW

VIII.THEANNIVERSARY

IX.AWINTERBUTTERFLY

X.THETURNOFTHETIDE

XI.MENTALTREATMENT

XII."APASSELOFMEDDLERS"

XIII.THEPRODIGAL'SDEPARTURE

XIV.CUTTINGTHEAPRON-STRINGS

XV.THE"HARDENING"PROCESS

XVI."AREG'LARHOSS"

XVII.THEDESERTER

XVIII.SAMUEL'SWELCOME

XIX.EXCHANGINGTHEOLIVE-BRANCH

XX.THEFATTEDCALF

XXI."OURBELOVEDBROTHER"

I

THETEA-TABLE

Angeline'sslender,wiryformandsmall,glossygrayheadbentoverthesquatbrowntea-potassheshookoutthelastbitofleaffromthecanister.Thecanisterwasnolongerhers,neitherthetea-pot,noreventhebatteredoldpewterspoonwithwhichshetappedthebottomofthetintodislodgethelastflickeroftea-leafdust.Thethreehadbeensoldatauctionthatdayinresponsetotheauctioneer'sinquiry,"WhatamIbidforthelot?"

Nothinginthefamiliaroldkitchenwashers,Angelinereflected,exceptAbraham,heragedhusband,whowastakinghislastgentlerideintheoldrocking-chair--theoldarm-chairwithpaintedrosesbloomingasbrilliantlyacrossitsbackastheyhadbloomedwhenthechairwasfirstpurchasedfortyyearsago.Thoseroseshadcometobeasourceofperpetualwondertotheoldwife,aneverpresentexample.

Neithertimenorstresscouldwilttheminasingleleaf.WhenAbetookthefirstmortgageonthehouseinordertoinvestinanindefinitelylocatedMexicangold-mine,themelodeondroppedoneofitskeys,butthe


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rosesnoddedonwiththesameoldsunnyhope;whenAbehadtotakethesecondmortgageandTenaflyGoldbecameaforbiddentopicofconversation,theminute-handfellofftheparlorclock,buttheflowersonthebackoftheoldchairblossomedonnonethelessserenely.

Thesoilgrewmoreandmorebarrenastheyearswentby;butstilltheroseshadkeptfreshandyoung,sowhy,arguedAngy,shouldnotshe?Ifoldageandthepinchofpovertyhadfailedtoconquertheirvaliantspirit,whyshouldshelistentothecroakingtale?Iftheybloomedonwiththesamecrimsonflauntofcolor,thoughtherockersbeneaththemhadgrownwarpedandthebodyofthechaircreakedandgroanedeverytimeoneventuredtositinit,whyshouldshenotignorethestiffnesswhichtheyearsseemedtobringtoherjoints,thecomplaintswhichherbodythreatenedeverynowandagaintoutter,andfareonherself,ahardyperennialbravelyfacinglife'swinter-time?

Eventhisdreadeddayhadnottakenonefractionofashadefromthegloryoftheroses,asAngelinecouldseeinthebudatonesideofAbraham'sheadandthefull-blownflowerbelowhisrightear;sowhyshouldshedroopbecausethesaleofherhouseholdgoodshadbeensomewhatdisappointing?_Somewhat?_Whenthechildlessoldcouple,stillsailingunderthebannerofacharity-forbiddingpride,becamepracticallyreducedtotheirlastcopper,justasAbe'sjointswere"loosenin'up"afterafiveyears'siegeofrheumatism,anddecidedto

sellalltheirworldlypossessions,apartfromtheirpatchedandthreadbarewardrobesandafewmeagerkeepsakes,theyhaddependeduponraisingatleasttwohundreddollars,onehalfofwhichwastosecureAbeaberthintheOldMen'sHomeatIndianVillage,andtheotherhalftomakeAngelinecomfortableforlife,ifalittlelonely,intheOldLadies'HomeintheirownnativehamletofShoreville.Bothinstitutionshadbeengenerouslyendowedbythesameestate,andwereseparatedbyadistanceofbutfivemiles.

"Mightaswaalbefivehunderd,withmyrheumatizan'yerweakheart,"AbrahamhadgrowledwhenAngyfirstproposedtheplanastheonlydignifiedsolutiontotheirproblemofliving.

"But,"thelittlewifehadrejoined,"it'llbeamiteo'comforta-knowin'abody'ssonear,evenefyercan'tgittew'em."

Now,anothersolutionmustbefoundtotheproblem;fortheauctionwasover,andinsteadoftwohundreddollarstheyhadsucceededinraisingbutonehundreddollarsandtwocents.

"Thatairtewcentswasfertheflour-sifter,"inwardlymournedAngy,"an'itwaswuthdoublean'tribble,ferit'sbeenagoodfriendtermefernighontereightyear."

"Tewcentsonthesecondhunderd,"saidAbeforthetenthtime."I'vecounteditoveran'over.Onehunderddollarsan'tewpeskypennies.An'

Ineverhearamantellsomanyliesinmylifeasthatairauctioneer.Yew'd'a'thoughthewassellin'outtheEmperyo'Rooshy.Hy-guy,itsoundedsplendid.FustoffIthoughthe'draiseusmore'nweexpected.An'mebbehewouldhavetew,Angy,"abitruefully,"efyew'd'a'letmeadvertisealeetlesooner.Idon'ts'posehalfShorevilleknowsyitthatwewasgwineterhaveaauctionsale."Hewatchedthecolorrisinginhercheekswithacuriousmixtureofprideinherprideandregretatitsconsequences."It'snousea-talkin',Mother,Pridean'Povertymakesoneasybed-fellers."


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Heleanedbackintheoldchair,creakingoutadismalechototheauctioneer's,"Going,going,gone!"whiletheflushdeepenedinAngy'scheek.Againshefastenedhergazeupontheindomitableredrosewhichhungapendantear-ringontherightsideofAbraham'shead.

"Yewwouldn't'a'hadfolksa-comin'hereterbidjestouto'charity,wouldyew?"shedemanded."An'anyhow,"inamoregentletone,--thegentlypositivetonewhichshehadacquiredthroughfortyyearsoflivingwithAbraham,--"wehain'tsobadoffwithonehunderddollarsan'tewcents,an'--beholdenternobody!It'stewcentsmore'nyewneedtergityewintertheOldMen's,an'themextrytewcents'llpervidefermejestbewtiful."Abrahamstoppedrockingtostarehardathisresourcefulwife,aninvoluntarytwinkleofamusementinhisblueeyes.Withincreasedfirmness,sherepeated,"Jestbewtiful!"whereuponAbe,scentingself-sacrificeonhiswife'spart,satupstraightandsnapped,"Haowso,haowso,Mother?"

"It'llbuyapostage-stamp,won'tit?"--shewasfairlyaggressivenow,--"an'thar'saenvelopwhatwa'n'tputupterauctioninthecupboardan'apaper-bagIkinironout,--ketchmea-gwinetertheneighborsan'a-beggin'ferwritin'-paper--an'I'lljestsetdaownan'writealineterMis'Halsey.Herhousehain'tastun'sthrowfromtheOldMen's;an'I'lloffertercomean'takekeero'themairyoung'unso'her'nfermyboardan'keepan'--tencentsaweek.Iwasa-gwineter

sayaquarter,butIdon'twantterimposeonnobody.Seein'thattheyhain'toverwell-ter-do,Iwouldgofernothin',butIgotterhavesomethin'terkeepupappearanceson,soyewwon'thavenocallterfeelashamedofmewhenIcomea-visitin'terthehum."Involuntarily,asshespoke,Angyliftedherknottedoldhandandsmoothedbackthehairfromherbrow;forthroughallthestrugglingyearsshehadkeptacertain,notunpleasing,girlishprideinherpersonalappearance.

Abrahamhadrisenwithcreaksofhisrheumaticjoints,andwasnowwalkingupanddowntheroom,hisfeetliftedslowlyandpainfullywitheverystep,yetstillhisblueeyesflashingwiththefireofindignantprotest.

"Mea-bunkin'comfortableintheOldMen's,an'yewa-takin'keero'themHalseyyoung'unsfertencentsaweek!Iwouldn'ttakekeero''emfertencentsashortbreath.Tharbeyoung'unsan'young'uns,"heelucidated,"buttheybetartars!Yew'dbeinyergraveaforethefustfrost;an'who'sa-gwineterburyyer--thetaown?"Histonebecamegentleandbroken:"No,no,Angy.Yewbeagoodgal,an'dewjestaswecalc'latedon.YewjinetheOldLadies';yew'vegotfriendsoverthar,yew'llgiterlongsplendid.An'I'llgiterlongtew.Yerknow"--throwinghisshouldersback,heassumedthelight,banteringtonesofamiliartohiswife--"thepoorhousedoorsisalwaysopen.I'djestadmiretergothar.Thar'sarocking-chairineveryroom,andtheysaythegrubisANo.1."Hewinkedather,smilinghisbroadestsmileinhisattempttodeceive.

Bothwinkandsmile,however,werelostuponAngy,whowasbusydividingtheapple-sauceinsuchawaythatAbewouldhavethelargersharewithoutsuspectingit,hopingthewhilethathewouldnotnoticetheabsenceofbutteratthislasthomemeal.Sheherselfhadneverbelievedinbutteringbreadwhentherewas"sass"toeatwithit;butAbe'sextravaganttasteshadalwayscarriedhimtothepointofdesiringbothbutterandsauceasarelishtohisloaf.

"Naow,fur'sI'mconcerned,"pursuedAbe,"Ihain'tgotnothin'agin


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thepoorhouseferneithermannerwoman.I'dasliefletyewgothar'stido'me;ferIknowverywellthat'swhatyew'rea-layin'outferterdo.Yes,yes,Mother,yewcan'tfoolme.Butthinkwhatfolkswouldsay!Thinkwhattheywouldsay!They'dcrow,'Thar'sAbea-takin'hiscomfortintheOldMen'sHum,an'Angeline,she'sa-eatin'herheartoutinthepoorhouse!'"

Angelinehad,indeed,determinedtobetheonetogotothepoorhouse;butallherlifelongshehadcared,perhapstoafaultydegree,for"whatfolkswouldsay."Aboveall,shecarednowforwhattheyhadsaidandwhattheystillmightsayaboutherhusbandandthisfinalendingtohisdown-hillroad.Sherestedhertwohandsonthetableandlookedhardattheapple-sauceuntilitdancedbeforehereyes.Shecouldnotthinkwithanydegreeofclearness.Vaguelyshewonderediftheirsupperwoulddanceoutofsightbeforetheycouldsitdowntoeatit.SomanyofthegoodthingsoflifehadvanishederesheandAbecouldtouchtheirlipstothem.Thenshefelthisshakinghanduponhershoulderandheardhimmutterwithhuskytenderness:

"Mydear,thisisthefustchancesincewe'vebeenmarriedthatI'vehadtotakethewustofit.Don'tsayawordaginitnaow,Mother,don'tyer.I'vebroughtyerterthispass.Lemmebearthebrunto'it."

Ah,thegreatestgoodofallhadnotvanished,andthatwasthelove

theyboreonetotheother.ThesunshinecamefloodingbackintoMother'sheart.Sheliftedherface,beautiful,rosy,eternallyyoung.Thiswasthemanforwhomshehadgladlyriskedwantandpoverty,thedispleasureofherownpeople,almosthalfacenturyago.Nowatlastshecouldpointhimouttoallherlittleworldandsay,"See,hegivesmetheredsideoftheapple!"Sheliftedhereyes,twobrightsapphiresswimmingwiththediamonddewofunshed,happytears.

"I'ma-thinkin',Father,"shetwittered,"thatnaowmean'yewbea-gwinesofurapart,webea-gittin'closertergetherinsperitthanwe'veeverbeenafore."

Abebentdownstifflytobrushhercheekwithhisroughbeard,andthen,

awkward,aswhenaboyofsixteenhehadfirstkissedher,shy,ashamedatthisapproachtoareturnoftheold-timelove-making,heseatedhimselfatthesmall,baretable.

Thiswarped,hill-and-daletableofthedrop-leaves,whichhadbeenbroughtfromtheatticonlyto-dayafterrestingtherefortenyears,hadservedastheirfirstdining-tablewhenthehoneymoonwasyoung.Abethoughtfullydrummedhishandontheboard,andasAngybroughtthetea-potandsatdownoppositehim,herecalled:

"Wehadbreadan'teaan'apple-sassthedaywesetuphousekeepingdewyewremember,Angy?"

"An'Iburnedtheapple-sass,"shesupplemented,whereuponAbechuckled,andAngywentonwithathrillofgenuinegladnessoverthefactthatherememberedthedetailsofthatlong-agohoneymoonaswellasshe:"Yewdon'tmindhavin'nobutterto-night,dewyer,Father?"

Herecalledhowhehadsaidtoheratthatfirstsimplehomemeal:"Yewdon'tmindbein'poorwithme,dewyer,Angy?"Now,withasilentshakeofhishead,hestaredather,wonderinghowitwouldseemtoeatattablewhenherfacenolongerlookedathimacrosstheboard,tosleepatnightwhenherfaithfulhandnolongerlaywithinreachofhisown.


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Sheliftedherteacup,heliftedhis,thetwogazingateachotheroverthebrims,bothhalf-distressed,half-comfortedbythefactthatLovestillremainedtheirtoast-masterafterthepassingofalltheyears.OfasuddenAngyexclaimed,"Wefergottersaygrace."Shockedandcontrite,theycoveredtheireyeswiththeirtremblingoldhandsandmurmuredtogether,"DearLord,wethankTheethisdayforourdailybread."

Angyopenedhereyestofindtheredrosescheerfullyfacingherfromthebackoftherocking-chair.Arobinhadhoppeduponthewindow-silljustoutsidethepatchedandrustyscreenandwasjoyfullycarolingtoherhisviewsoflife.Throughthewindowvinesinwhichthebirdwasalmostmeshedthesunlightsiftedsoftlyintothestripped,bare,andlonelyroom.Angyfeltstrangelyencouragedandcomforted.Therosesbecamesymbolicaltoherofthe"liliesofthefieldwhichtoilnot,neitherdotheyspin";therobinwasoneofthe"twosparrowssoldforafarthing,andoneofthemshallnotfalltothegroundwithoutyourFather";whilethesunlightseemedtocallouttothelittleoldladywhohopedandbelievedandlovedmuch:"Fearyenottherefor.Yeareofmorevaluethanmanysparrows!"

II

"GOOD-BY"

Whenthelastlookofpartinghadbeengiventotheoldkitchenandthecouplepassedout-of-doors,hushedandtrembling,theypresentedanincongruouslybrave,gala-dayappearance.Bothweredressedintheirbest.Tobesure,Abraham'sSundaysuithadlongsincebecomehisonly,every-daysuitaswell,butheworehisSabbath-dayhat,abeaverofancientdesign,withanairthatcastitsreflectionoverallhisapparel.Angelinehadonablacksilkgownasshinyasthefreshlypolishedstoveshewasleavinginherkitchen--agownwhichtestified

fromitsvoluminoushemtothesoftyellownetatthethroatthatAngelinewasasneatamenderanddarnerascouldbefoundinSuffolkcounty.

Ablacksilkbonnetsnuggledclosetoherhead,fromunderitsbrimpeepingasinglepinkrose.EveryspringfortenyearsAngelinehadrenewedtheyouthofthisrosebytreatingitspetalswiththetenderreddyeofabuddingoak.

Underthepinkrose,asoftpinkflushbloomedoneitheroftheoldlady'scheeks.Hereyesflashedwithunconquerablepride,andhersquare,firmchinsheheldveryhigh;fornow,indeed,shewasfilledwithterrorofwhat"folkswouldsay"tothishome-leaving,anditwasa

brightJuneafternoon,tooclearforanumbrellawithwhichtohideone'sfacefrompryingneighbors,toolateinthedayforasunshade.

Angytuckedthegreen-blackaffairwhichservedthemasbothunderherarmandswungAbe'sfiguredoldcarpet-baginherhandwiththemannerofonesettingoutonapleasantjourney.Abe,thoughrestingheavilyonhisstout,crookedcane,draggedbehindhimAngy'slittlehorsehairtrunkuponacreaking,old,unusuallylarge,toyexpress-wagonwhichhehadboughtatsomeforgottenauctionlongago.


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Thehusbandandwifepassedintothegardenbetweenbordersofboxwood,beyondwhichnoddedtheheadsofAngy'scarefullytended,out-door"children"--herroses,hersnowballs,hersweet-smellingsyringas,herwax-likebleeding-hearts,andhershrubofbridal-wreath.

"Jestaminute,"shemurmured,asAbewouldhavehastenedontothegate.Shebentherproudheadandkissedwithfurtive,half-ashamedpassionafluffywhitesprayofthebridal-wreath.Nowovertoppingthehusband'ssilkhat,theshrubhadnotcomesohighashiskneewhentheytwohadplanteditnearlyahalf-centuryago.

"You'remine!"Angy'sheartcriedouttotheshrubandtoeverygrowingthinginthegarden."You'remine.Iplantedyou,tendedyou,lovedyouintogrowing.You'reallthechildrenIeverhad,andI'mleavingyou."

Buttheoldwifedidnotpluckasingleflower,forshecouldneverbeartoseeablossomwitherinherhand,whileallshesaidaloudwas:"I'mglad'twasMis'Holmesthatboughtinthehouse.Theysayshe'sagreathandterdiginthegarden."

Angy'svoicefaltered.Abedidnotanswer.Somethinghadcausedaswimmingbeforehiseyeswhichhedidnotwishhiswifetosee;soheletfallthehandleoftheexpress-wagonand,bendinghisslowback,pluckedasprigof"old-man."Thoughhecouldnothaveexpressedhis

sentimentsinwords,thegardenbroughtpoignantrecollectionsofthehopesandpromiseswhichhadthrowntheirrosecolorabouttheyoungdaysofhismarriage.Hishopeshadneverblossomedintofulfilment.Hispromisestothelittlewifehadbeenchokedbytheweedsofhisowninefficiency.Worsethanthis,theburstingintobloomofseedsofselfishrecklessnessinhimselfwaswhathadturnedthegardenoftheirlifeintoanaridwaste.Andnow,intheirdryandwitheredoldage,heandAngywerebeingtornupbytheroots,flungassomuchrubbishbytheroadside.

"Mother,Ibedretfulsorrytertakeyewawayfromyourposies,"mutteredAbrahamashearosewithhisgreenspriginhishand.

Withshakingfingers,Angysoughtapinhiddenbeneathherbasque."Father,shallIpinyer'old-man'inyerbuttonhole?"shequavered.Thenashestoopedforhertoarrangetheposy,shewhispered:"Iwouldn'tcare,'ceptferwhatfolksmustsay.Le''shurrybeforeanyoneseesus.Itoldeverybodythatwewa'n'ta-gwineterbreakuptillter-morrermornin'."

Fortunately,therewasawayacrosslotstotheOldLadies'Home,anunfrequentedby-pathoverafieldandthroughabitofwoodland,whichwouldbringthecouplealmostunobservedtoasidegate.

Underordinarycircumstances,Angelinewouldneverhavetakenthispath;foritexposedhercarefullypatchedandnewlypolishedshoesto

scratches,herfragile,wornsilkskirtandstiff,whitepetticoattobrambles.Moreover,thedraggingoftheloadedlittlewagonwasmoredifficulthereforAbraham.Buttheybothpreferredthenarrower,rougherwaytofacingthecuriouseyesofallShorevillenow,thepityingwindowsofthevillagestreet.

Asthecouplecametotheedgeofthewoodland,theyturnedwithoneaccordandlookedbackforthelastglimpseofthehome.Blazinggold-redagainstthekitchenwindowflamedtheafternoonsunlight.


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"Looka'that!"Angycriedeagerly,asonewhobeholdsapromiseintheskies."Jestsee,Father;wecouldn't'a'madeoutthatwinderthisfuratallefthesunhadn'tstruckitjestso.Ideclar'itseemsalmostasefwecouldseetherocker,tew.It'stewbad,Abe,thatwehadterletyeroldrockergo.D'yewremember--?"Shelaidherhandonhisarm,andliftedhergaze,growingcloudedandwistful,tohisface."Whenweboughtthechair,wethoughtmebbesomedayI'dberockingaleetlebabyinit.'Twasthen,yewricollec',wesortergotinthehabitofcallin'eachother'father'an''mother.'Iwondereftheyoung'unshadcome--"

"Le''shurry,"interruptedAbealmostgruffly."Le''shurry."

Theystumbledforwardwithbowedheadsinsilence,untilofasuddentheywerestartledbyasurprisedhailofrecognition,andlookeduptofindthemselvesconfrontedbyabentandgrayoldman,avillagecharacter,aharmless,slightlydementedpublicchargeknownas"Ishmael"or"CaptainRover."

"Wharyewgoin',Cap'nRose?"

Theoldcouplehaddrawnbackatthesightofthegentlevagabond,andAngyclutchedatherhusband'sarm,herheartcontractingatthethoughtthathe,too,hadbecomeapauper.

"I'ma-takin'mywifeterjinetheoldladiesoverthartertheHum,"Abeanswered,andwouldhavepassedon,shrinkingfromthesightofhimselfasreflectedinpoorIshmael.

Butthe"innocent"placedhimselfintheirpath.

"Yewain'ta-goin'terjine'em,tew?"hebantered.

Abeforcedalaughtohislipsinresponse.

"No,no;I'mgoin'overterYaphankterboardonthecounty."

Againthecouplewouldhavepassedon,theirfacesflushed,theireyes

lowered,hadnotIshmaelflungoutonehandtodetainthemwhileheplungedtheotherhurriedlyintohispocket.

"Here."Hedrewoutameagerhandfulofnickelsandpennies,hisvacantsmilegrownwistful."Here,takeit,Cap'nRose.It'sallIgot.Ican'tcountitmyself,butyewcan.Don'tyewthinkit'senoughtersetyewupinbusiness,soyewwon'thavetergoterthepoorhouse?Thepoorhouseisabadplace.Iwastherelastwinter.Idon'tlikethepoorhouse."

Herambledonofthepoorhouse.Angy,pantingforbreath,onehandagainstthesmotheringpainatherheart,wastrying,withtheother,todrag"Father"along."Father"wasshakinghisheadatIshmael,attheprofferednickelsandpennies--shakinghisheadandchoking.Atlength

hefoundhisvoice,andwasabletosmileathiswould-bebenefactorwitheventheghostofatwinkleinhiseye.

"Muchobliged,Cap'nRover;butyewkeepyermoneyferterbaccy.Iain'tsohigh-tonedasyew.I'lltakerealcomfortatthepoorhouse.S'long;thankyer.S'long."

Ishmaelwentonhiswaymutteringtohimself,unhappilyjinglinghisrejectedalms;whileAngyandAberesumedtheirjourney.


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AstheycametothegateoftheOldLadies'Home,Angyseizedholdofherhusband'sarm,andlookingupintohisfacepleadedearnestly:

"Father,let'stakethehunderddollarsferafamblytombstunan'goterthepoorhousetergether!"

Heshookheroffalmostroughlyandliftedthelatchofthegate.

"Folks'dsaywewascrazy,Mother."

Therewasnooneinsightashedraggedintheexpress-cartandlaiddownthehandle.Beforehimwasalong,clean-sweptpathendingapparentlyinamassofshrubbery;totheleftwasafieldofsweetcornreachingtothehedge;totherightastrongandsturdygrowthofpolelimabeans;andjustwithintheentrance,beneaththesweepingplumesofaweeping-willowtree,wasashabbybutinvitinggreenbench.

Abe'sglancewanderedfromthebenchtohiswife'sface.Angycouldnotlifthereyestohim;withbowedheadshewaslatchingandunlatchingthegatethroughwhichhemustpass.Helookedatthesunandthoughtfullymadereckonofthetime.Therewerestilltwohoursbeforehecouldtakethetrainwhich--

"Lef'sgosetdeownaspellafore--"hefaltered--"aforewesay

good-by."

Shemadenoanswer.Shetoldherselfoverandoverthatshemust--simplymust--stopthat"all-of-a-tremble"feelingwhichwasgoingoninsideofher.Shesteppedfromthegatetothebenchblindly,withAbe'shandonherarm,though,stillblindly,withexaggeratedcaresheplacedhiscarpet-bagonthegrassbesideher.

Helaiddownhiscane,tookoffhishighhatandwipedhisbrow.Helookedatheranxiously.Stillshecouldnotliftherblurredeyes,norcouldshecheckhertrembling.

Seeinghowsheshook,hepassedhisarmaroundhershoulder.He

murmuredsomething--what,neitherhenorsheknew--buttheloveofhisyouthspokeinthemurmur,andagainfellthesilence.

Angy'seyescleared.Shestruggledtospeak,aghastatthethoughtthatlifeitselfmightbedonebeforeevertheycouldhaveonehourtogetheragain;butnowordscame.Somuch--somuchtosay!Shereachedoutherhandtowherehisresteduponhisknee.Theirfingersgripped,andeachfeltasenseofdrearycheertoknowthatthetouchwasspeakingwhatthetonguecouldnotutter.

Timepassedswiftly.Thesilenthourspedon.Theyoungbladesofcorngossipedgentlyalongthefield.Above,thebranchesofthewillowswishedandswayedtotherhythmofthesoft,southwind.

"Howstill,howstillitis!"whisperedthebreeze.

"Rest,rest,rest!"wasthelullabyswishofthewillow.

TheoldwifenestledclosertoAbrahamuntilherheadtouchedhisshoulder.Helaidhischeekagainstherhairandthecarefullypreservedoldbonnet.Involuntarilysheraisedherhand,trainedbytheyearsofpinchingeconomy,toliftthefragileroseintoasaferposition.Hesmiledatheraction;thenhisarmclosedaboutherspasmodicallyandhe


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swallowedalumpinhisthroat.

Theafternoonwaswaning.Graduallyovertheturmoiloftheirheartsstolethegarden'sJune-timespiritofdrowsyrepose.

Theyleanedevenclosertoeachother.Thegrayoftheoldman'shairmingledwiththegraybeneathAngeline'slittlebonnet.Slowlyhiseyesclosed.ThenevenasAngywonderedwhowouldwatchovertheslumbersofhiswornoldageinthepoorhouse,she,too,fellasleep.

III

THECANDIDATE

Thebutcher'sboybroughtthetidingsoftheauctionsaleinatthekitchendooroftheOldLadies'HomeevenwhileAngyandAbewerelingeringovertheirposies,andtheinmatesoftheHomewerewaitingtoreceivetheoldwifewiththegreatersympathyandthedeeperspiritofwelcomefromthefactthattwoofthetwenty-ninemembershadknownherfromgirlhood,awaybackintheboarding-schooldays.

"Yop,"saidtheboy,withoneeyeuponthestoutmatron,whowascriticallyexaminingthemeatthathehadbrought."Yop,theauction'sover,an'Cap'nRose,he--Don'tthatcutsuityou,MissAbigail?Youwon'tfindabetter,nicer,tenderer,andmorejuicierpieceofshoulderthissideofNewYork.Takeitback,didyousay?Allright,ma'am,allright!"Hisfaceassumedalookofresignation:theseoldladiesmadehislifeamartyrdom.Heusedtotellthe"fellers"thathespentonehalfhistimecarryingordersbackandforthfromtheOldLadies'Home.Butnow,inspiteofhismeeknessofmanner,hedidnotintendtotakethiscutback.SowithMachiavellianskillhehastenedonwithhisgossip.

"Yop,an'theyonlyrizonehundreddollarsan'twocents--onehundreddollarsan'apostage-stamp.Iguessit'sallupwiththecap'nan'theOldMen's.Idon'tsee'emhangin'outno'Welcome'signonthestrengthofthat."

"You'reahorrid,heartlesslittleboy!"burstforthMissAbigail,and,flingingthedisputedmeatonthetable,shesankdownintothechair,completelyovercomebysorrowandindignation."You'llbeoldyerselfsomeday,"shesobbed,notnoticingthathewasstealthilyedgingtowardthedoor,oneeyeonher,oneonto-morrow'spot-roast."Itellyew,Tommy,"regainingheraccustomedconfidingamiability,assheliftedthecornerofheraprontowipehereyes,"MissElliewillfeelsomekindo'bad,tew.Yerknowmean'heran'Angyallwentterschooltergether,

althoughMissEllieissomuchyounger'ntheresto'usthatwecallherthebaby.Here!Where--"

Buthewasgone.Sighingheavily,thematronputthemeatintheice-box,andthenmadeherslow,lumberingwayintothefronthall,orcommunity-room,wherethesistersweregatheredinabodytoawaitthenewarrival.

"Waal,say!"shesupplemented,aftershehadfinishedtellingherpitiablybriefstory,"thar'stroubleernoughtergo'round,hain't


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thar?"

AuntNancySmith,whoneverbelievedinwearingherheartonhersleeve,sniffedandthumpedhercaneonthefloor.

"Yewyoungfolks,"sheaffirmed,herselfhavingseenninety-ninewinters,whileAbigailhadknownbutapaltrysixty-five,"yewallersgoan'cutyerpityontheskew-gee.Idon'tseenothin'terbawlan'bellererbout.Isaythata'nymanwhatcan'ttakekereo'himself,nottermentionhiswife,shouldortergoterthepoorhouse."

Butthematriarch'svoicequaveredevenmorethanusual,andasshefinishedshehastilybentdownandfeltinherdeepskirt-pocketforhersnuff-box.

NowtheAmazonianMrs.Homan,awidowforthethirdtime,madesturdyretort:

"That'sjestlikeyewoldmaids--alwaysa-blamin'themen.YewkinjestbetIneverwouldhaveletoneofmyhusbandsgoterthepoorhouse.Itwouldhavemortifiedmedretful.Itmustbeapurtypoorsortofawomanwhatcan'ttakecareofonemanandkeeparoofoverhishead.Why,mysecond,OliverG.,usedtersay--"

"Oh!"MissElliewrungherhands,"can'twedosomethin'?"

"Icoulddoa-plenty,"mournedMissAbigail,"efIonlyhadbeensavin'.HereIgitasalaryo'fourdollarsamonth,an'notonepennylaidaway."

"Yewfergit,"spokesomeonegently,"thatittakesconsid'ableterdressamatronproper."

AuntNancy,whohadbeensneezingfuriouslyatherownimpotence,nowfoundherspeechagain.

"We'reanicesettertalkerboutdewin'somethin'--apasselo'poorole

critterslikeus!"Hercackleofembitteredlaughterwasinterruptedbythelow,cultivatedvoiceofthebelleoftheHome,"ButterflyBlossy."

"We've_got_todosomething,"saidBlossyfirmly.

WhenBlossyspokewithsuchdecision,everyoneofthesistersprickedupherears.Blossymightbe"ashaller-pate";shemightarrangethegolden-whitehairofherheadasbefittedthecrowninggloryofayounggirl,withpuffsandrollsandlittlecurls,and--morethanonesistersuspected--withtheaidof"rats";shemightgownherselfelaboratelyinthemendedfineryofthelongago,thebetteryears;shemightdressherlovelybigroom--theonlydoublebedchamberinthehouse,forwhichshehadpaidadoubleentrancefee--inallsortsofgewgaws,little

ornaments,hand-paintedplaquesofherownproducing,lacebedspreads,embroideredsplashersandpillow-shams;shemightevenpermitherselfasuitorwhocametwiceayearmorepunctuallythantheline-storms,toaskherwitheredlittlehandinmarriage--butherheartwasintherightplace,andonoccasionshehadprovedherselfamasterhandat"fixin'things."

"Yes,"saidshe,risingtoherfeetandflingingoutherarmswithaneloquentgesture,"we'vegottodosomething,andthere'sjustonethingtodo,girls:takethecaptainrighthere--here"--shebroughtherhands


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tothelacesonherbosom--"toourhearts!"

Atfirsttherewassilence,withtheladiesstaringblanklyatBlossyandthenatoneanother.Hadtheyheardaright?Thentherecamemurmursandexclamations,withMissAbigail'svoicegaspingabovetheothers:

"Whatwouldthedirectorssay?"

"Whatdotheyalwayssaywhenweaskafavor?"demandedBlossy."'Howmuchwillitcost?'Itwon'tcostacent."

"Won't,eh?"snappedAuntNancy."Howonarthbeyewgoin'tervittlehim?Ihain'thadaseconddisho'peasthisyear."

"Somemeneatmorean'someless,"remarkedSarahJane,asill-favoredaspinsteraseverthesunshoneon;"generallyitmeanssomuchgrubtersomuchweight."

MissAbigailglancedupattheceiling,whileLazyDaisy,whohadrefusedtotipthebeamfortenyears,surreptitiouslyhidanappleintowhichshehadbeenbiting.

"Le''shave'emweighed,"suggestedawidow,RubyLee,withapretty,well-preservedlittlefaceandfigure,"an'eftergethertheydon'tcome

uptotheheartiestoneofus--"

MissAbigailmadehastyinterruption:

"Gals,hain'tyewnevernoticedthatthemoreyewneedthemoreyewgit?BeforeJennyBellwenttolivewithherdarterIdidn'tknowwhatIshoulddew,forthetaterswasgittin'pootylow.Yewknowsheusedtereattwentyteramealan'thenlookhungryattheplatter.An'thenefoldSquareElydidn'tcomea-drivin'uponemornin'withtenbushelinthefarmwagon!He'dbeensavin''emferusallwinterferfearwemightrunshortinthespring.Gals,thar'sonethingyewkindependon,theforesightednessoftheLord.Ihain'tafraidterriska-stretchin'theboardan'keepo'thirtyterpervideampleferthirty-one.Naow,

haowmanyofyewiswillin'tertryit?"

Everyheadnodded,"Iam";everyeyewaswetwiththedewofmercifulkindness;andMrs.HomanandSarahJane,whohadflungplatesateachotheronlythatmorning,wereobservedtobeholdinghands.

"Buthaowonarthbewea-goin'tersleephim?"proceededthematronuneasily."Tharhain'taextrycornerinthehullplace.Puttin'tewpeopleinNo.30isoutofthequestion--it'sjesterboutthesizeofaCinderellashoebox,anyhow,an'thegarretleaks--"

Shepaused,forBlossywaspullingathersleeve,therealBlossy,warmhearted,generous,self-deprecating.

"IthinkNo.30isjustthecoziestlittleplaceforone!Doletmetakeit,MissAbigail,andgivethecouplemygreatbigbarnofaroom."

AuntNancyeyedhersuspiciously."Yewain'ta-gwinetermakeafoolo'yerself,an'jumpoverthebroomstickag'in?"ForBlossy'soldsuitor,SamuelDarby,hadmadeoneofhissemiannualvisitsonlythatmorning.

Thebelleburstintohystericalandself-consciouslaughter,asshefoundeveryglancebentuponher.


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"Oh,no,no;notthat.ButIconfessthatIamtiredtodeathofthisperpetualdove-party.Ijustsimplycan'tliveanotherminutewithoutamaninthehouse.

"Now,MissAbigail,"sheaddedimperiously,"yourunacrosslotsandfetchhimhome."

IV

ONEOFTHEM

Ah!butAbrahamsleptthatnightasifhehadbeendrawntorestunderthecompellingshelterofthewingsofallthatflockwhichinhappierdayshehaddubbedcontemptuously"themairoldhens."NeverafterwardcouldthedazedoldgentlemanrememberhowhehadbeenpersuadedtocomeintothehouseandupthestairswithAngeline.Heonlyknewthatinthemidstofthatheart-breakingfarewellatthegate,MissAbigail,alloutofbreathwithrunning,redintheface,butexceedinglyheartyofmanner,hadsuddenlyappeared.

"Shoo,shoo,shoo!"thisstoutangelhadgasped."Naow,Cap'nAbe,yewneedn'tgitnarvous.We'reasharmlessasdoves.Runrighterlong.Yewwon'tseeanybodyter-night.Don'tsayaword.It'sallright.Sssh!Shoo!"Andthen,lo!hewasnotintheCountyAlmshouse,butinabeautifulbrightbedchamberwithawreathofimmortellesoverthemantel,alonewithAngy.

Afterward,itallseemedtheblurofadreamtohim,adreamwhichendedwhenhehadfoundhisheaduponacool,whitepillow,andhadfeltglad,glad--dearGod,howglad!--toknowthatAngywasstillwithinreachofhisoutstretchedhand;andsohehadfallenasleep.Butwhenheawokeinthemorning,therestoodAngelineinfrontoftheglasstakingherhair

outofcurlpapers;andthenheslowlybegantorealizethetremendouschangethathadcomeintotheirlives,whenhiswifecommittedtheunprecedentedactoftakinghercrimpsout_before_breakfast.Herealized'thattheyweretoeatamongstrangers.Hehadbecometheguestofthirty"women-folks."Nodoubtheshouldbecalled"OldGalThirty-one."Hegotupanddressedvery,veryslowly.Thebewilderedgratitude,theincredulousthanksgivingoflastnight,wereasfarawayasyesterday'ssunset.AgreatseriousnesssettleduponAbe'sleanface.Atlastheburstforth:

"Onetothirty!Hy-guy,I'minferit!"Howhadithappened,hewondered.Theyhadgivenhimnotimetothink.Theyhadswoopeddownuponhimwhenhisbrainwasdulledwithanguish.Virtually,theyhad

kidnappedhim.Whyhadtheybroughthimheretoacceptcharityofawomen'sinstitution?Whyneedtheythusintensifyhissenseofshameathislife'sfailure,and,aboveall,athisfailuretoprovideforAngeline?Inthepoorhousehewouldhavebeenonlyonemorederelict;butherehestoodalonetobestaredatandpitiedandthrownasickly-satisfyingcrumb.Withasighfromtheverycellarofhisbeing,hemuttered:

"Aye,Mother,whydidn'tyewletmegoontertheCountyHouse?Thatair'stheplaceferaworn-outoldhulllikeme.Hy-guy!"heejaculated,


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beadsofsweatstandingoutonhisforehead,"I'drutherlaydeownan'dieth'nfacethemairwomen."

"Thar,thar!"soothinglyspokeAngy,layingherhandonhisarm."Thar,thar,Father!JestthinkhaowdretfulI'dfeela-goin'deownwithoutyer."

"Soyouwould!"strangelycomforted."Soyouwould,mydear!"Forhersakehetriedtobrightenup.Hejokedclumsilyastheystoodonthethresholdofthechamber,whispering,blinkinghiseyestomakeupforthelackoftheirusuallyreadytwinkle.

"Hol'onaminute;supposin'IfergitwhetherIbeamanerawoman?"

Herlovegaveinspirationtoheranswer:"I'llleanonyer,Abe."

Justthentherecametheloud,imperativeclangingofthebreakfast-bell;andsheurgedhimtohurry,as"itwouldn'tdew"forthemtobelatethefirstmorningofalltimes.Butheonlyansweredbygoingbackintotheroomtomakeananxioussurveyofhisreflectionintheglass.Heshookhisheadreprovinglyatthebeardedcountenance,asiftosay:"YouneednotprideyourselfanylongeronlookinglikeAbrahamLincoln,foryouhavebeenturnedintoamiserableoldwoman."

Pickingupthehair-brush,hehelditoutatarm'slengthtoAngy."Won'tyewslickupmyhairaleetlebit,Mother?"heasked,somewhatshamefacedly."Ican'tseeextrywellthismornin'."

"Why,Abe!It'sslickedezslickezitkinbenaow."However,theoldwifereachedupashebenthistall,angularformoverher,andsmoothedagainhisthin,wetlocks.Helaughedalittle,self-mockingly,andshelaughedback,thenurgedhimintothehall,and,slippingahead,ledthewaydown-stairs.Atthefirstlanding,whichbroughtthemintofullviewofthelowerhall,hepaused,possessedwiththemaddesiretorunawayandhide,foratthefootofthestairwaystoodtheentireflockofoldladies.Twenty-ninepairsofeyeswereliftedtohimandAngy,twenty-ninepairsoflipsweresmilingatthem.Totheendofhis

daysAbrahamrememberedthosesmiles.Reassuring,unselfish,andtender,theymadetheoldman'sheartswell,hisemotionsgowarringtogether.

Hewondered,wasgrateful,yethegrewmoreconfusedandafraid.HestaredamazedatAngeline,whoseemedtheembodimentofself-possession,liftingherdainty,proudlittlegrayheadhigherandhigher.SheturnedtoAbrahamwithaprotecting,motherlylittlegestureofcommandforhimtofollow,andmarchedgallantlyondownthestairs.Humbly,tremblingattheknees,hecamewithgingerlystepsafterthelittleoldwife.Howunworthyhewasofhernow!Howunworthyhehadalwaysbeen,yetneverrealizedtothefulluntilthismoment.Heknewwhatthosesmilesmeant,hetoldhimself,watchingtheupliftedfaces;theyweretosoothehissenseofshameandhumiliation,totouchwithrosethisdullgraycolor

oftheculminationofhisfailures.Hepassedhishandoverhiseyes,fiercelyprayingthatthetearsmightnotcometoaddtohisdisgrace.

AndallthewhilebravelittleAngykeptsmiling,untilwithatrulygladleapoftheheartshecaughtsightofablueribbonpaintedingoldshiningonthebreastofeachoneofthetwenty-ninewomen.Apaleblueribbonpaintedingoldwith--yes,peeringhereyesshediscoveredthatitwastheword"WELCOME!"TheforcedsmilevanishedfromAngeline'sface.Hereyesgrewwet,hercheekwhite.Herproudfigureshrank.Sheturnedandlookedbackatherhusband.Notforoneinstantdidshe


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appropriatethecomplimenttoherself."Thisisfor_you_!"herspiritcalledouttohim,whileanewpridedawnedinherworkingface.

FortyyearshadshespentapologizingforAbraham,andnowsheunderstoodhowthesetwenty-ninegenerousoldheartshadraidedhimtothepedestalofahero,whileshestoodaheroinebesidehim.Angyitwaswhotremblednow,andAbe,gainingamanlycouragefromthat,tookholdofherarmtosteadyher--theyhadpausedonastepnearthefootofthestairs--and,lookingaroundwithhiswhimsicalsmile,hedemandedofthebedeckedcompanyingeneral,"Ladies,beyew'spectin'thePresident?"

Cacklewentthecrackedoldvoicesofthetwenty-nineinachorusofappreciativelaughter,whiletheoldheadsbobbedatoneanotherasiftosay,"Won'thebeanacquisition?"Andthen,fromamongthegrouptherecameforwardBlossy--Blossy,whohadsacrificedmostthatthisshouldcometopass;Blossy,whohadsattillmidnightpaintingthegold-and-blueribbons;Blossy,theprideandbeautyoftheHome,inadelicate,old,yellow,reallacegown.Sheheldhertwohandsgracefullyandmysteriouslybehindherbackassheadvancedtothefootofthestairs.LookingsteadilyintoAbraham'seyes,shekepta-smilinguntilhefeltasifthewarmthofabelatedspringhadbeameduponhim.

"ThePresident!"Hermellow,well-modulatedvoiceshook,andshelaughed

withaminglingofgenerousjoyandtenderpity."AreweexpectingthePresident?Youdearmodestman!Wearewelcoming--_you_!"

AbelookedtoAngyasiftosay,"HowshallItakeit?"andbehold!themiracleofhiswife'sbosomswellingandswellingwithprideinhim.Heturnedback,forBlossywasmakingaspeech.Hishandtohishead,hebenthisgoodeartolisten.IntermspoeticalandtouchingshedescribedthelonelinessofthelifeattheHomeasithadbeenwithnomanundertheroofofthehouseandonlyadeaf-and-dumbgardener,whohatedhersex,inthebarn.Thenincontrastshepaintedlifeasitmustbeforthesistersnowthatthethirtytendervineshadfoundastancholdoakfortheirclinging."Me?"queriedAbrahamofhimselfand,withanothersilentglance,ofAngy.

Butwhatwasthis?Blossy,leadingalltheothersinaresoundingcallof"Welcome!"andthenBlossydrawinghertwohandsfrombehindherback.Oneheldahugebluecup,theother,thesaucertomatch.SheplacedthecupinthesaucerandhelditouttoAbraham.Hetrudgeddownthefewstepstoreceiveit,unashamednowofthetearsthatcourseddownhischeeks.Withaburstofdelightheperceivedthatitwasamustachecup,suchastheonehehadalwaysusedathomeuntilithadbeensetforsafe-keepingonthetoppantryshelftoawaittheauction,whereithadbroughtthepriceofelevencentswithhalfapaperoftacksthrownin.

Andnowasthetearsclearedawayhesawalso,whatAngy'seyeshad

alreadynoted,theinscriptioninwarmcrimsonlettersontheshiningbluesideofthecup,"ToOurBelovedBrother."

"Sisters,"hemumbled,forhecoulddonomorethanmumbleashetookhisgift,"efyew'dbeengittin'readyfermesixmonths,yewcouldn'thavedonenobetter."


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V

THEHEADOFTHECORNER

Everybodyworetheircompanymannerstothebreakfast-table--thefirsttimeinthewholehistoryoftheHomewhencompanymannershadgracedtheinitialmealoftheday.Beingpleasantatsupperwaseasyenough,AuntNancyusedtosay,foreveryonesavetheunreasonablycantankerous,andbeingagreeableatdinnerwasnotespeciallydifficult;butnooneshortofasaintcouldbeexpectedtosmileofmorningsuntilsufficienttimehadbeengiventodiscoverwhetheronehadsteppedoutonthewrongortherightsideofthebed.

Thismorning,however,notimewasneededtodemonstratethateverybodyintheplacehadgottenoutonthehappysideofhiscouch.Eventhedeaf-and-dumbgardenerhaduntwistedhissurlytemper,andasAbrahamenteredthedining-room,lookedinattheeastwindowwithaconciliatorygrinandnodwhichsaidasplainlyaswords:

"'Tisawelcomesightindeedtoseeoneofmyownkindaroundthisestablishment!"

"Whydon'thecomein?"questionedAbe,wavingbackagreetingaswell

ashecouldwiththetreasuredcupinoneofhishandsandthesaucerintheother;whereuponSarahJane,thatuglyduckling,explainedthatthefellow,beingaconfirmedwoman-hater,cookedallhisownmealsinthesmokehouse,andinsisteduponallhisordersbeingleftonaslateoutsidethetool-housedoor.Abesniffeddisdainfully,contemplatingherhomelycountenance,overwhichthismorning'smoodhadcastanotunlovely,transformingglow.

"Why,thescalawag!"Hefrownedsoatthefaceinthewindowthatitimmediatelydisappeared."Yewdon'tmeantertellmehe'ssotag'in'yewgals?Hemustbecrazy!Sechahandsome,cleverseto'womenIneverdidsee!"

SarahJaneblushedtotherootsofherthin,straighthairandsatdown,suddenlydisarmedofeveryporcupinequillthatshehadhiddenunderherwings;whiletherewasanagreeablelittlestiramongthesisters.

"Setdeown,allhands!Setdeown!"enjoinedMissAbigail,flutteringaboutwiththeheavinessofafatgoose."BrotherAbe,--that'swhatwe'veallagreedtocallyew,byunanimousvote,--yewsetrighthereatthefootofthetable.AuntNancyalwayshadtheheadan'methefoot;butIonlykeptthefoot,partlybecuztharwa'n'tnomanfertheplace,an'partlybecuzIwastewsizabletersqueezeinany-wharelse.Seein'asSisterAngyissechaleetlemite,though,Iguessshekineasymakeroomfermet'othersideo'her."

Abecouldonlybowhisthanksasheputhisgiftdownonthetableandtooktheprominentplaceassignedtohim.Theothersseated,therewasasolemnmomentofwaitingwithbowedheads.AuntNancy'stremblingvoicearose,--thevoicewhichhadjealouslyguardedtherightofsayinggraceattableintheOldLadies'Homefortwentyyears,--not,however,inthecustomarywordsofthanksgiving,butinaperemptory"BrotherAbe!"

Abrahamlookedup.Couldshepossiblymeanthathewastoestablishhimselfastheheadofthehouseholdbyrepeatinggrace?"BrotherAbe!"


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shecalleduponhimagain."Yew'veasktablessin'feronewomanfermanyayear;supposin'neowyewaskitferthirty!"

Amidtheamazementoftheothersisters,Abemumbled,andmuttered,andmurmured--nooneknewwhatwords;butallunderstoodtheoverwhelminggratitudebehindhisincoherency,andalljoinedheartilyintheAmen.Then,whileMrs.Homan,thecookoftheweek,wentbustlingoutintothekitchen,AuntNancyfeltthatitdevolveduponhertoexplainheraction.Itwouldneverdo,shethought,forhertogainareputationforself-effacementandsweetnessofdispositionathertimeoflife.

"Son,Iwantyewterunderstandonethingnaowatthestart.Yewtreatusright,an'we'lltreatyewright.That'sallweasko'yew.MissEllie,passtheradishes."

"I'lldomybest,"Abehastenedtoassureher."Hy-guy,thatcoffeesmellssomekindo'good,don'tit?Betweenthesmello'thestuffan'thelookso'mycup,it'llbesotemptin'thatI'llwishIhadtheneckofagi-raffe,an'couldtasteitallthewaydeown.Angy,Ibeafraidwe'llgitthegouta-livin'sohigh.Lookatthisherecream!"

Smiling,appreciative,hislipsinsistinguponjokingtocoverthenaturalfeelingofembarrassmentincidenttothisfirstmealamongthesisters,butwithhisvoicebreakingnowandagainwithemotion,while

fromtimetotimehehadtostealhishandkerchieftohisoldeyes,Abepassedsuccessfullythroughthe--tohim--elaboratebreakfast.AndAngysatinraptsilence,butwithherfaceshiningsothatherquietwasthestillnessofeloquence.OnceAbestartledthemallbyrisingstealthilyfromthetableandseizingthemorning'snewspaperwhichlayuponthebuffet.

"Iknowedit!"caviledLazyDaisy_sottovoce_tonooneinparticular."Hecouldn'twaitforthenewstillhewasthrougheatin'!"ButAbehadfoldedthepaperintoastoutweapon,and,creepingtowardthewindow,despatchedbyaquick,adroitmovementaflywhichhadalighteduponthescreen.

"Ihatetheverysighto'themairpeskycritters,"heexplainedhalfapologetically."Thar,thar'sanotherone,"andslaughteredthat.

"My,butyewkingit'em,can'tyew?"spokeMissAbigailadmiringly."ThemtewbetheveryonesItriedterketchalldayyiste'day;Ikinseeasafly-ketcheryewbea-goin'terbewuthafarmterme.Setdeownan'trysomeo'thisherestrawberrypresarve."

ButAbeprotestedthathecouldnoteatanotherbiteunlessheshouldgetupandrunaroundthehouseto"joggledeown"whathehadalreadyswallowed.Heleanedbackinhischairandsurveyedthefamily:onhisright,generous-heartedBlossy,whohadbeensmilingapprovalandencouragementathimallthroughtherepast;athisleft,andjust

beyondAngy,MissAbigailindulginginwhatremainedonthedishesnowthatshediscoveredtheotherstohavefinished;AuntNancykeenlywatchinghimfromtheheadoftheboard;andalltheothersisters"betwixtan'between."

HecaughtMrs.Homan'seyewhereshestoodinthedoorwayleadingintothekitchen,andremarkedpleasantly:"Ma'am,yewoughtersetupapancakeshopin'York.Yewcouldmakeafortuneatit.Ihain'thadsechamealo'vittlessenceIturnedfiftyyearo'age."


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AflatteredsmileoverspreadMrs.Homan'svisage,andtheothersisters,notingit,wonderedhowlongitwouldbebeforesheshowedherclawsinAbraham'spresence.

"Hy-guy,Angy,"Abewenton,"yewcan'tbelievenothin'yewhear,kinyer?Why,folkshavetoldmethatyewladies--Whatyewhittin'myfootfer,Mother?Folkshavetoldme,"atwinkleofamusementinhiseyeattheabsurdity,"thatyewfightamongyerselveslikecatsan'dogs,when,law!Ineverseesechacleverloto'womengatheredtergetherinallmylife.An'Ibelieve--Mother,Ihain'ta-sayin'nothin'!Ijestwantterlet'emknowwhatIthinkon'em.Ibelievethattharmustbethreehunderdheartsinthishereplace'stido'thirty.Butdewyewknow,gals,folksoutsideevengosofur'stersaythatyewthrowplatesatoneanother!"

Therewasamoment'ssilence;thenalittlegaspfirstfromoneandthenfromanotherofthegroup.EveryonelookedatMrs.Homan,andfromMrs.HomantoSarahJane.Mrs.Homantightenedhergriponthepancaketurner;SarahJaneuneasilymovedherlongfingerswithinreachofasturdylittlered-and-whitepepper-pot.Anothermomentpassed,inwhichtheairseemedfilledwiththepromiseofanelectricstorm.ThenBlossyspokehurriedly--Blossythetactician,claspingherhandstogetherandbringingAbe'sattentiontoherself.

"Really!Yousurpriseme!Youdon'tmeantosaythatfolkstalkaboutuslikethat!"

"Slanderisadretfullong-leggedcritter,"amendedMissAbigail,smilingandsighinginthesamebreath.

"SaryJane,"inquiredMrs.Homansweetly,"what'sthematterwiththatpepper-pot?Doesitneedfillin'?"

AndsobeganthereignofpeaceintheOldLadies'Home.

VI

INDIANSUMMER

MissAbigailhadnotbankedinvainonthe"foresightednessoftheLord."Attheendofsixmonths,insteadoftherebeingashortageinheraccountsbecauseofAbe'spresence,shewasabletoshowthedirectorssuchabalance-sheetasexcelledallherpreviouscommendablerecords.

"Howdoyouexplainit?"theyaskedher.

"Wecastourbreadonthewaters,"sheanswered,"an'Providencejestkepta-handin'outtheloaves."Againshesaid,"'Twasgrinnin'thatdoneit.BrotherAbehekeptthegardenergood-natured,an'thegardenerhejestgrinnedatthegardensassuntilitwasashamednotterflourish;an'BrotherAbekeptthegalsgood-naturedan'theywa'n'tso_niasy_aboutwhattheyeat;an'hekeptthevisitorsa-laughin'jestterseehimhere,an'whenyewmakefolkslaughtheywantterturnaroundan'dewsomethin'feryew.Itellyew,efyewkinonlykeepgriternoughtergrin,yewkindriveawayadrought."


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Intruth,therehadbeennodroughtinthegardenthatsummer,butalmostadoubleyieldofcornandbeans;nodroughtinthegiftssenttotheHome,butshowersofplenty.Someofthesecameintheformoffreshfishandclamsleftatthebackdoor;someinlusciousfruits;someinbarrelsofclothing.Andthebarrelsofclothingsolvedanotherproblem;fornolongerdidtheircontentsconsistsolelyofarticlesoffeminineattire."Biledshirts"pouredoutofthem;socksandbreeches,derbyhats,coatsandnegligees;untilAuntNancywithahumoroustwisttoherthinlipsinquirediftherewerethirtymeninthisestablishmentandonewoman.

"IneverthoughtI'dcometowearin'aquiltedsilkbasquewithtosselsonit,"Aberemarkedonedayonbeingurgedtotryonahandsomesmoking-jacket."DewIlooklikeoneofthemsissy-boys,erjestadude?"

"It'sdretfulbecoming,"insistedAngy,"bewtiful!Ain'tit,gals?"

Everyoldladynoddedherheadwithanairofproudproprietorship,asiftosay,"Nothingcouldfailtobecome_our_brother."AndAngynoddedherhead,too,indelightedapprovaloftheirappreciationof"ourbrother"and"myhusband."

Beautiful,joy-steeped,pleasure-filleddaysthesewereforthecouple,whohadbeencrampedforlife'ssmallestnecessitiessomanymeageryears.AngyfeltthatshehadbeenmademiraculouslyyoungbythebirthofthisnewAbraham--almostasifatlastshehadbeengiventhesonforwhominheryouthshehadprayedwithimpassionedappeal.Herold-wifelovebecamerejuvenatedintoacuriousmixtureofproudmother-loveandyoung-wifeleaning,asshesawAbewineveryheartandbecomethecenterofthecommunity.

"Why,thesistersallthinkthesunrisesan'setsinhim,"Angywouldwhispertoherselfsometimes,awedbythegloriouswonderofitall.

Thesistersfairlyviedwithoneanothertoseehowmucheachcoulddo

fortheonemanamongthem.Theirownpreferencesandprejudicesweremagnanimouslythrustaside.Inabodytheybesoughttheirguesttosmokeasfreelyinthehouseasoutofdoors.MissAbigaileventradedsomeofhergardenproducefortobacco,whileMissElliemadetheoldgentlemanatobacco-pouchofredflannelsogenerousinitsproportionsthatonapinchitcouldbeusedasachest-protector.

ThenRubyLee,nottobeoutdonebyanybody,produced,fromnooneeverdiscoveredwhere,amother-of-pearlmanicuresetforthedelightandmystificationofthehero;andevenLazyDaisywentsofarastocutsomeredandyellowtissue-paperintosquaresunderthedelusionthatsometime,somehow,shewouldfindtheenergytorolltheseintospillsforthelightingofAbe'spipe.Andeachandeverysisterfromtimeto

timecontributedsomegiftorsuggestiontoher"brother's"comfort.

It"plagued"theothers,however,toseethatnoneofthemcouldgetaheadofBlossyintheirnobleendeavorstomakeAbrahamfeelhimselfalightandwelcomeburden.SheitwaswhodiscoveredthatAbe'scontentmentcouldnotbeabsolutewithoutgriddle-cakesforbreakfastthreehundredandsixty-fivetimesayear;sheitwaswhofirstbakedhimlittlesaucer-cakesandpiesbecausehewaspartialtoedges;andBlossyitwaswhomadeoutalistof"Don'ts"forthesisterstofollowintheirtreatmentofthisgrown-up,young-oldboy.


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"Don'tscoldhimwhenheleavesthedoorsopen.Don'ttellhimtowipehisfeet.Don'tevermentiongold-minesorshiftlesshusbands,"etc.,etc.

AllthesetriumphsofBlossy'sintuitionservednaturallytospurtheothersontodoevenmoreforBrotherAbethantheyhadalreadydone,untiltheoldmanbegantoworryforfearthatheshould"gitsp'ilt."Whenhelaydownforhisafternoonnapandthehousewasdullandquietwithouthiswakingpresence,theladieswouldgatheringroupsoutsidehisdoorasifinaking'santechamber,waitingforhimtoawaken,sayingtooneanothereverandagain,"Sh,sh!"Heprofessedtoscoffattheattentionshereceived,wouldgruntandgrowl"Humbug!"yetneverthelesshethrivedinthislatter-daysunlight.Hisoldbonestookonflesh.Hisagedkindlyface,allseamedwithcareasithadbeen,filledout,thewrinklesturningintotwinkles.Abrahamhadgrownyoungagain.WiththereturnofhisyouthcamethespiritofyouthtotheOldLadies'Home.Verily,verily,asBlossyhadavowedfromthefirst,theyhadbeeninsoreneedofthemasculinepresence.Theancientcoatandhatwhichhadhunginthehallsolonghadperhapsserveditspurposeinkeepingtheburglarsaway,butthislifelesssubstitutehadnotpreventedthecrabbedgnomesoflonelinessanddiscontentfromstealingin.Spinster,wife,andwidow,theyhadeveryonebeenwarpedbythetestyjust-so-nessoftheoldmaid.

Now,insteadoffretfuldiscussionsofhealthandfood,recriminationsandwrangling,therecametobelaughterandgood-humoredchatterallthedaylong,eachsisterstrivingwithallherstrengthtopreservethenew-foundharmonyoftheHome.Thereweremusicalevenings,whenMissAbigailopenedthemelodeonandplayed"OldHundred,"andAbrahamwasencouragedtopickoutwithonestiffforefinger"MyGrandfather'sClock.""Hymntunes"weresunginchorus;andthen,inanswertoAbe'sappealforsomethinglivelier,therecametime-trieddittiesandold,oldlove-songs.Andatlast,onenight,afterleavingtheinstrumentsilent,muteinthecorneroftheparlorformanyyears,AuntNancySmithdraggedoutherharp,and,seatingherself,reachedoutherknotted,tremblinghandsandbroughtforthwhatseemedtheveryecho,so

faintandfalteringitwas,of"Douglas,Douglas,TenderandTrue."

Therewasalongsilenceaftershehadfinished,herheadbowedonherchest,herhandsdroppedtohersides.Abrahamspokefirst,clearinghisthroatbeforehecouldmakethewordscome.

"_I_wishIcouldgitahusbandfereveryoneofyer,"saidhe.

Andnoonewasangry,andnoonelaughed;fortheyallknewthathewasonlyseekingtoexpressthemessageconveyedbyNancy'splaying--themessageofLove,Lovetriumphant,whichcannotage,whichovertheyearsandoverDeathitselfalwayshaththevictory.

VII

OLDLETTERSANDNEW

Blossylefttheroomwithoutaword,andwentstealingupthestairstothelittlecupboardwhereshenowslept,andwherewashungonthewall,


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inaframeofyellowhollyhocks,paintedbyherownhand,aphotographofCaptainSamuelDarby,themanwhohadremainedobstinatelydevotedtohersinceherdaysofpinafores.

ThepicturebetrayedthatCaptainDarbyworeawigdesignedforalargerman,andthatthevisagebeneathwasgnarledandweather-beaten,markedwiththesignsofastubbornandunreasonablewill.

Evennowtheagedbellecouldhearhimsaying:"HereIbe,comeeroundterpopag'in.Readyterhitch?"

Samuel'sinelegantEnglishhadalwaysbeenasourceofdistresstoBlossy;yetstillshestaredlongatthepicture.

Sixmonthshadpassedsincehislastvisit;to-morrowwouldbethedateofhiswinteradvent.

Shouldshegivetheoldunvaryinganswertohistirelessformula?

Sheglancedaroundthetinyroom.Ashamedthoughshewastoadmititeventoherself,shemissedthatampleandcozychamberwhichshehadsofreelysurrenderedtoAbrahamandhiswife.Shemissedit,asshefelttheymustcravetheirveryownfireside;andthethoughtthattheymissedtheoldhomesteadmadeheryearnforthehomethatshemighthave

had--thehomethatshestillmighthave.

Againshebroughthereyesbacktotheportrait;andnowshesaw,notthecharacteristicswhichhadalwaysmadeitseemimpossibleforherandSamueltojogtogetherdownlife'sroad,butthegreattruththatthefacewashonestandwholesome,whiletheeyeslookedbackintoherswiththepromiseofanunswervingcareandaffection.

ThenextmorningfoundBlossykneelingbeforeaplump,little,leather-bound,time-worntrunkwhichshekeptundertheeavesofthekitchenchamber.Thetrunkwaspackedhardwithbundlesofoldletters.Someheryoungerfingershadtiedwithvioletribbon;sometheyhadboundwithpink;othersshehadfastenedtogetherwithwhitesilkcord;

andthereweremoreandmorebundles,bothslimandstout,whichBlossyhaddistinguishedbysomespecialhueofribboninthelongago,eachtintmarkingadifferentsuitor'smissives.

Toherstillsentimentaleyethecolorsremainedunfaded,andeachwouldbringtohermindinstantlythepictureofthewriterashehadbeeninthegoldendays.ButsavetoBlossy'seyealonetherewerenolongeranyrainbowtintsinthelittle,oldtrunk;foreveryribbonandeverycordhadfadedintothatmusty,yellowbrownwhichisdyedbythepassingofmanyyears.

Abrahamdiscoveredherthere,tooengrossedintheperusalofoneoftheoldletterstohaveheededhiscreakingstepsuponthestairs.

"Didn'tseeyer,tillI'moststumbledonyer,"hebeganapologetically."Icomefertheapple-picker.Thar'sahandfulofrussetsintheorchardyit,that'scalc'latin'terspendChristmasupcloseterheaven;but--Say,Blossy,"headdedmoreloudly,sinceshedidnotraiseherhead,"yewseenanythin'o'thatairpicker?"

Blossyglancedupfromherragged-edgedcrackly_billet-doux_withastart,anddroppedtheenveloptothefloor.


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Forthemoment,sodeepinreminiscencewasshe,shethoughtCaptainDarbyhimselfhadsurprisedher;then,recognizingAbeandrecallingthatSamuel'swintervisitswereinvariablypaidintheafternoon,shebrokeintoashamefacedlaugh.

"Oh,isthatyou,BrotherAbe?Don'ttelltheotherswhatyoufoundmedoing.These,"withawaveofherdelicate,blue-veinedhandsoverthetrunkanditscontents,"arealloldlove-lettersofmine.DoyouthinkI'masillyoldgoosetokeepthemclutteringaroundsolong?"

"Wa'al,"--AbewithanequallydeprecatorygestureindicatedAngy'shorsehairtrunkinthefarcorneroftheloft,--"yewain'tnomorefoolisher,Iguess,overyeroldtrash'nmean'Angybea-keepin'thatairminin'stockofmine.Onelotiswuth'boutasmuchast'other."

Recoveringtheenvelopthatshehaddropped,hesquintedatthesuperscription."Notmeanin'terbeinquisitiveorpersonal,SisterBlossy,"ateasingtwinkleappearinginhiseye,"butthislooksdretfulfamilitary,thisherehandwritin'does.WhenIrunthebeach--yew'veheardmetellofthetimeIwasontheLife-savin'CrewoverterBleakHillferaspell--mycap'nhehadafistjestlikethat.Usetermakeoutthespickest,spannestreports.Lemmesee,"thetwinkledeepening,"didn'tthegalssayyewwasa'spectin'somebodyter-day?Law,Iain'tsawCap'nSam'lfertenyearormore.Iguessontheseherepoppin'

tripso'his'nhehain'twastin'timeonnomen-folks.But,Blossy,yewbettergivemeachancetertalktohimthisarternoon,an'mebbeI'llspeakagoodwordferyer."

Blossy,notalwayskeentoseeajoke,andwithhervanitynowintheascendant,feltthecolorriseintoherwitheredcheek.

"Oh,youneedn'ttakethetroubletospeakagoodwordforme.Anymanwhocouldeverwritealetterlikethisdoesn'tneedtobecoaxed.Justlisten:

"Themanyoutakeforamateistheluckiestdoginthewholeround

world.I'dratherbehimthankingofallthecountriesonearth.I'dratherbehimthanstrikeagold-minereachingfromheretoChina.I'dratherbehimthanmasterofthefinestvesselthateversailedbluewater.That'swhatIwould.Why,themanwhocouldn'tbehappywithyouwouldspilltearsalloverheaven."

Blossy'scheekwasstillflushed,butnolongerwithpique.Hervoicequavered,andbroke;andfinallytherefelluponthefadedpageofthelettertwosparklingtears.

Abrahamshuffleduncomfortablyfromonefoottotheother;then,mutteringsomethingaboutthe"peskyapple-hook,"wentscuffingacross

thefloorinthedirectionofthechimney.

Blossy,however,calledhimback."Iwascrying,BrotherAbe,becausethemanIdidtakeforamateoncewasnothappy,and--andneitherwasI.Iwasutterlywretched;sothatI'vealwaysfeltInevercaredtomarryagain.And--andSamuel'swigisalwaysslippingdownoveroneeye,andIsimplycannotendurethattrickhehasofcarryinghisheadtooneside,asifhehadaleft-handedspellofthemumps.Itnearlydrivesmefrantic.


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"BrotherAbe,nowtellmehonestly:doyouthinkhewouldmakeagoodhusband?"

Abeclearedhisthroat.Blossywasinearnest.Blossycouldnotbelaughedat.Shewashisfriend,andAngy'sfriend;andshehadcometohimastoabrotherforadvice.HetoohadknownSamuelasmantoman,whichwasmorethananyofthesisterscouldsay.

Strokinghisbeardthoughtfully,therefore,heseatedhimselfuponaconvenientwoodenchest,whileBlossyslippedheroldlove-letterinandoutoftheenvelop,withthatessentiallyfemininemannerofweighingandconsidering.

"Naow,"beganAbeatlength,"thisissomep'nthatrequireskeerfuldebatin'.Fustoff,haowsomever,yewmustrememberthatwigsan'waysnevermadeamanyit.EzIriccollec'Sam'l,hewaspootygoodezmengo.Ishouldsayhewouldn'tbeanymoreofarisktewyewthanIwastewAngy;mebbeless.He'sgotquitealeetlelaidby,Iunderstand,an'atidystory-an'-a-halfhouse,an'frontstoop,an',bygolly,can'thecook!He'sasplendidhousekeeper."

"Housewifery,"remarkedBlossysagely,asshebegantogatherhermissivestogether,"isanaccomplishmenttobescornedinayounghusband,butnotinanoldone.Theysaytherehasn'tbeenawoman

insideSamuel'shousesincehebuiltit,butit'sascleanassoapandsandcanmakeit."

"Ibetyer,"agreedAbe."Hain'tneverbeennoflyinsideit,neither,Iwarrantyer.Flycan'tlightarterSam'l'scleanin'upnohaow;he'sgotterskate."

"Hesayshebuiltthatlittlehouseforme,"saidtheoldlady,asshecloseddownthelidofthetrunk.TherewasawistfulnoteinBlossy'svoice,whichmadeAbrahamdeclarewithaburstofsympathy:

"'Tain'tnodisgracetergitmarriedatnotimeoflife.Sam'l'sagoodpervider;whydon'tyewsnaphimupter-day?We'llmissyewalot;

but--"

"Here'stheapple-pickerrightoveryourhead,"interruptedBlossytartly,andAbefelthimselfperemptorilydismissed.

Scarcelyhadhelefttheattic,however,thanshetoohasteneddownthesteep,narrowstairs.Shespenttheremaininghoursbeforetrain-timeindonningherbeautifullacegown,andinmakingthewomanwithinitasyoungandravishingaspossible.Andlovely,indeed,Blossylookedthisday,withanaturalflushofexcitementonhercheek,anewsparkleinherbright,darkeyes,andwithherwhitehairarrangedinafashionwhichmighthaveexcitedayounggirl'senvy.

Thehourforthetraincameandwent,and,lo!forthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftwentyyearsCaptainDarbydidnotappear.

Blossypretendedtoberelieved,protestingthatshewasdelightedtofindthatshewouldnowhaveanextrahourinwhichtoponderthequestion.Butthesecondtraincameandwent,andstillnoCaptainDarby.

AlltheafternoonlongBlossyworeherlacegown,thinkingalthoughtherewerenomoretrainsfromtheeastwardthatday,thatSamuelwould


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stillfindhiswaytoher.Hemightdrive,asheusuallydidinJune,orhemightevenwalkfromhishomeatTwinCoves,shesaid.

Atnight,however,shewasobligedtoadmitthathecouldnotbecoming;andthen,quiveringwithhonestanxietyforheroldfriend,Blossydippedintoheremergencyfund,whichshekeptintheheartofalittlepinkchinapigonashelfinherroom,--apinkchinapigwithalidmadeofstiffblackhairstandingonedgeinthemiddleofhisback,--andsentatelegramtoCaptainDarby,askingifheweresick.

Theanswercamebackslowlybymail,tofindBlossyonthevergeofanervouscollapse,underthecareofallthewomeninthehouse.

ThatletterBlossynevershowedtoBrotherAbe,nortoanyoneelse.Neitherdidshetreasureitinthesentimentaltrunkbeneaththeatticeaves.Theletterran:

DEARBETSYANN:Ineverfeltbetterinmylife.Ain'tbeensickaminute.JustmadeupmymindIwasaoldfool,andwasgoingtoquit.Ifyouchangeyourintentionsatanytime,justdropmeapostal.Asever,

SAM'LDARBY,ESQ.

"This,CaptainDarby,makesyourrejectionfinal,"vowedBlossytoherself,asshetorethenoteintofragmentsanddrownedtheminthespiritsoflavenderwithwhichthesistershadbeenseekingtosootheherdistractednerves.

VIII

THEANNIVERSARY

AboutthistimeBlossydevelopedatendencytodrawBrotherAbrahamasideateveryopportunity,convenientorinconvenient,inordertoputsuchquestionsasthesetohim:

"Didyousayitisfullythirty-fiveyearssinceyouandCaptainDarbywereonthebeachtogether?Doyouthinkhehasgrownmucholder?Hadhelosthishairthen?Didhecarefortheoppositesex?Washeverybrave--orwouldyousaymorebravethanstubbornandcontrary?Isn'titablessingthatInevermarriedhim?"

Fearfuloftheridiculeofthesisters,Blossywasalwayscarefultoconducttheseinquiriesinwhispers,oratleastinundertoneswitha

greatobservanceofsecrecy,sometimesstoppingAbeonthestairs,sometimesbeckoninghimtohersidewhenshewasbusyaboutherhouseholdtasksonthepretenseofrequiringhisassistance.Ononeoccasionsheevenwentsofarastoinveiglehimintoholdingaskeinofwoolabouthisclumsyhands,whileshewoundthevioletworstedintoaball,anddelicatelyinquiredifhebelievedSamuelspokethetruthwhenhehadprotestedthathehadneverpaidcourttoanyotherwoman.

Alas,Blossy'sfrequenttete-a-teteswiththeamusedbutsometimesimpatientAbrahamstartedanexceedinglyfoolishsuspicion.When,asked


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thesistersofoneanother,didAbeeverhelpanyone,saveBlossy,shelldriedbeansorpickoverprunes?WhenhadheeverbeenknowntoholdwoolforAngy'swinding?Notoncesincewooing-time,Iwarrantyou.Whatcouldthiscontinualhobnobbingandgoingoffintocornersmean,except--flirtation?

RubyLeewhispereditfirstintoAuntNancy'sgoodear.AuntNancyindulgedinfourpinchesofsnuffinrapidsuccession,sneezedanamazingnumberoftimes,andthenacridlyinformedRubyLeethatshewasa"jealouscat"andalwayshadbeenone.

However,AuntNancycouldnotrefrainfromcarryingthegossiptoMissEllie,addingthatsheherselfhadbeensuspiciousofAbe'sbehaviorfromthestart.

"Oh,no,no!"criedtheshockedandshrinkingspinster."AndAngysocheerfulallthetime?Idon'tbelieveit."

Butwhisper,whisper,buzz,buzz,wentthegossip,untilfinallyitreachedthepinklittleearsatthesideofMissAbigail'sgenerouslyproportionedhead.Thepinkearsturnedcrimson,likewisetheadjoiningcheeks,andMissAbigailpantedwithrighteousindignation.

"Itallcomesofthisplaguedoldwinter-time,"shedeclared,sharply

bitingherthread,forshewasmendingatable-cloth."Shetthewindersonsummer,an'yewketchthetailofslanderinthelatcheverytime.Naow,efIhearonewordaboutthis'tarnalfoolishnesscomin'toAngy'sears,orBrotherAbe's,orBlossy'seither,ferthatmatter,we'llallhavetoeatoff'noil-clothSundays,thesameasweekdays,untilIseeamoreChristiansperitinthehouse."

ShegavetheSundaydamaskacrossherlapapatwhichshowedshewasinearnest;andtherebukedsistersglancedatoneanother,asiftosay:

"SupposetheministershouldwalkinsomeSabbathafternoonandfindoil-clothonthetable,andaskthereasonwhy?"

TheyoneandalldeterminedtotakeAuntNancy'sadviceand"sewabuttonontheirlips."

Fortunately,too,theFebruarythawshadalreadysetin,andtheremainderofthewinterpassedwithoutanyseverestrainonthe"buttonholes."Andatlengththewelcomespringbegantopeepforth,callingtotheoldfolks,"Comeout,andgrowyoungwiththeyoungyear!"

Withtheburstingforthofthenewspringtidethewinter'stalkseemedtodropasawitheredanddeadoak-leaffallsfromitswinter-boundbranches;andAbestoodoncemorealivetotheblessingsofrenewedapproval.

AngywentoutofdoorswithMissAbigail,andputteredaroundamongtheflowersasiftheywereherown,thankingGodforAbe'sincreasingpopularityinthesamebreaththatshegavethanksforthenewbudsofthespring.

TheanniversaryoftheRoses'entranceintotheHomedrewnearer,andBlossysuggestedthatthebestwaytocelebratetheeventwouldbebymeansofa"pinktea."


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NeitherAngynorAbe,norinfacthalfthesisters,hadanyclearconceptionofwhatatintedfunctionmightbe;buttheyoneandallseizeduponBlossy'sideaasifitwereaveritableinspiration,andforthetimejealousieswereforgotten,misunderstandingserased.

Suchpreparationsasweremadeforthattea!Thedeaf-and-dumbgardenerwassentwithadetachmentofsmallboystofetchfromthewaysideandmeadowsarmfulsofwildrosesforthedecorations.MissAbigailmadepinkicingforthecake.RubyLeehungbleeding-heartsoverthedining-roomdoor.AuntNancyresurrectedfromthebottomofhertrunkawhitelacecapwitharakish-lookingpinkbowforanadornment,andfastenedittoherscantgrayhairsinhonoroftheoccasion.Blossyturnedherpinkchinapig,hislidleftup-stairs,intoasugar-bowl.

Pink,pink,pink,everywhere;eveninAngy'sproudcheeks!Pink,andpink,andpink!Abeusedtogrowdizzy,afterward,tryingtorecallthevariouspinkarticleswhichgracedthattea.

Butmostdelightfulsurpriseofallwashisanniversarygift,whichwasslylyslippedtohisplaceafterthediscussionoftherose-coloredstrawberrygelatin.Itwasasquare,five-poundparcelwrappedinpinktissue-paper,tiedwithpinkstring,andfoundtocontainsomuchVirginiatobacco,whichBlossyhadinveigledanoldSouthernadmirerintosendingherfor"charitablepurposes."

Afterthepresentationofthisvaluablegift,Abrahamfeltthatthetimehadcomeforhimtomakeaspeech--practicallyhismaidenspeech.

Hesaidatthebeginning,moresuavelyathiseasethanhewouldhavebelievedpossible,secureofsympathyandapprobation,withAngy'sglowingoldeyesuponherprodigy,thatallthewhilehehadbeenattheHome,hehadneverbeforefeltthepowertoexpresshisgratitudeforthewelcomewhichhadbeenaccordedhim--thewelcomewhichseemedtowearandwear,asifitwereallwoolandayardwide,andcouldneverwearout.

Theoldladiesnoddedtheirheadsinapprovalofthis,everyface

beaming;butasthespeechwentontheothersperceivedthatAbehadsingledoutBlossyforspecialmention,--blind,blindAbraham!--Blossy,whohadfirstproposedadmittinghimintothisparadise;Blossy,whohadgivenuphersunnysouthchambertohiscomfortandAngy's;Blossy,whohadbeenasa"guardeenangel"tohim;Blossy,whoasafittingclimaxtoallhersisterlyattentionshadgivenhimto-daythiswonderful,wonderfulpinktea,and"thisfivehullpoundo'Virginnyterbaccer."

Heheldtheparcelclosetohisbosom,andwenton,stillpraisingBlossy,--thisinnocentoldgentleman,--heedlessofAngy'sgentletugathiscoat-tail;whileBlossyburiedherabsurdlylovelyoldfaceinthepinkflushofawild-rosespray,andtheotheroldladiesstaredfromhimtoher,theirfacesgrowinghardandcold.

WhenAbrahamsatdown,aglowwithprideoverhisoratoricaltriumphs,hischestexpanded,hiscountenancewrinkledintoathousandguileless,gratefulsmiles,therewasabsolutesilence.

ThenBlossy,herheadstillbowedasifinshyconfusion,begantoclapherhandsdaintilytogether,whereatafewoftheothersjoinedherhalf-heartedly.AsenseofchillcreptoverAbraham.Accustomedasaruletodeferentialattention,didhebutsaygood-morning,bynomeansawarethathisthronehadtoppledduringthewinter,hewasstill


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forcedtoperceivethatsomethinghadgoneamiss.

Asalwayswhenaughttroubledhismind,"Father"turnedtoAngy;butinsteadofhiscomposedandresourcefullittlewifehefoundascared-facedandtremblingwoman.Angyhadsuddenlybecomeconsciousoftheshadowofthegreen-eyedmonster.Angy'sloyalheartwascryingouttohermate:"Don'tgitthesistersdaownonyer,Abe,'cuzthen,mebbe,yew'llloseyerhum!"ButpoorAngeline'slipsweresostiffwithterrorovertheprospectoftheCountyHouseforherhusband,thatshecouldnotpersuadethemtospeech.

Abraham,completelyatsea,turnednexttoherwhomhehadcalledhisguardianangel;butBlossywasrisingfromherseat,abafflingsmileofexpectancyonherface,therosesprayswinginginherdelicatehandasiftothemeasureofsomemusictoofarbackinyouthforanyoneelsetohear.Blossyhadwornthatexpectantlookallday.ShemighthavebeendelightedlyhuggingtoherselfasecretwhichshehadnotsharedevenwiththetrustedAbraham.Shewasgownedinheryellowlace,thebeautyandgraceofwhichhaddefiedthechangingfashionsasBlossy'sremarkableeleganceofappearancehaddefiedthepassingoftheyears.

"BrotherAbe,"--inherheedlessnessofthemischiefshehadwrought,Blossyseemedalmosttosing,--"Inevershallforgetyourspeechaslong

asIlive.Willyouexcusemenow?"

Shesweptoutofthedoor,herskirtsrustlingbehindher.

Abecollectedhimselfsofarastobowinthedirectionshehadtaken;thenwithlamblikeeyesofinquirymettheexasperatedglancescastuponhim.

Notasistermovedorspoke.Theyallsatasifgluedtotheirchairs,inasilencethatwasfastgrowingappalling.

Abeturnedhisheadandlookedbehindhischairforanexplanation;butnothingmethiseye,savethefamiliarpictureonthewalloftwowhite

kittensplayinginthemidstofahugebunchofpurplelilacs.

ThentherebrokeuponthestillnessthequaveringoldvoiceofAuntNancy,fromherplaceoppositeAbe'sattheheadoftheboard.Theageddamehadhertwohandsclaspedbeforeherontheedgeofthetable,vainlytryingtosteadytheirpalsiedshaking.Hereyes,bright,piercing,age-defying,shefixeduponthebewilderedAbrahamwithalookofdeepandsorrowfulreproach.Herunsteadyheadbobbedbackwardandforwardwithmanyanaccusingnod,andthecapwithitsrakishpinkbowbobbedbackwardandforwardtoo.Abewatchedher,fascinated,unconsciouslywondering,eveninthemidstofhisdisquietude,whythecapdidnotslideoffherbaldscalpentirely.Tohisamazement,sheaddressednothimself,butAngy.

"SisterRose,yewkinleavetheroom."ImplacablepurposespokeinAuntNancy'stone.Angystarted,lookedup,goingfirstredandthenwhite;butshedidnotmove.Sheopenedherlipstospeak.

"Idon'twantterhearawordfromyew,noranybodyelse,"sternlyinterposedAuntNancy."I'moldenoughterbeyermother.Goup-stairs!"

Angy'sglancesoughtMissAbigail,butthematron'seyesavoidedhers.Thelittlewifesighed,rosereluctantly,droppedherhanddoubtfully


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reassuringonAbe'sshoulder,andthenwentobedientlytothedoor.

Fromthethresholdshelookedwistfullyback;butanimperiouswavefromAuntNancybanishedheraltogether,andAbefoundhimselfalone--notwiththesisterswhomheloved,butwithtwenty-eighthard-visagedstrangers.

IX

AWINTERBUTTERFLY

"Cap'nRose,"beganAuntNancy.BrotherAbeprickeduphiseatsattheformaladdress."Cap'nRose,"sherepeated,deliberatelydwellingonthetitle."Ineverbelieveincallin'amantewaccountinfrontofhiswife.ItgiveshimsomebodyhandyterblamethingsontewjestlikeoleAdam.Naow,looka-here!WhatIwantisteraskyewjestonequestion:Whar,wharon'arthkinwelookferadecentbehavin'olemanefnotinaOldLadies'Hum?Wouldyew--"sheexhortedearnestly,pointinghercrookedforefingerathim."Wouldyew--"

Abrahamcaughthisbreath.Beadsofsweathadappearedonhisbrow.Hebrokeinhuskily:

"Waitaminute,AuntNancy.JesttellmewhatI'vebeenan'done."

Theladiesglancedatoneanother,contemptuous,increduloussmilesontheirfaces,whileAuntNancyalmostweptathisdeceitfulness.

"Cap'nRose,"shevowedmournfully,"I'velivedinthishousefermany,manyyears,an'allthewhileIbeenhereIneverhearntello'abreatho'scandalag'in'theplaceuntilyewcomean'commencedterkickupyerheels."

LazyDaisy,whohadlongbeenaninmate,alsonoddedherunwieldyheadinconfirmation,whilealowmurmurofassentarosefromtheothers.Abrahamcouldonlypasshishandoverhisbrow,uneasilyshufflehismalignedheelsoverthefloorandawaitfurtherdevelopments;forhedidnothavetheslightestconceptionasto"whattheyweredrivingat."

"Cap'nRose,"thematriarchproceeded,asintheearnestnessofherindignationshearose,trembling,inherseatandstoodwithherpalsiedandshakinghandsontheboard,"Cap'nRose,yerconductwiththishereMis'BetseyAnnBlossomhasbeensomethin'_ree_diculous!It'sbeendisgraceful!"

AuntNancysatdown,incongruouslydisreputableinappearance,herpink

bowhavingslippeddownoverherrightearduringtheharangue.Overtheculprit'scountenancelighthaddawned,but,shametotell!itwasalightnotwhollyremorseful.Thensilentlaughtershooktheoldman'sshoulders,andthen--coulditbe?--therecreptabouthislipsandeyesasmileofsuperblymasculineconceit.Thesisterswerefightingoverhim.Wouldn'tMotherbeamusedwhenheshouldtellherwhatallthisfusswasabout.

Now,kindly,short-sightedMissAbigaildeterminedthatitwastimeforthematron'svoicetobeheard.


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"Ofcourse,BrotherAbe,weunderstandperfectlythatyewneverstoppedtertakeinterconsiderationhaowsusceptiblesomefolksismade."

TherebeingplainevidencefromAbe'sblankexpressionthathedidnotunderstandthemeaningoftheword,RubyLeehastenedtoexplain.

"Susceptibleisthesameasflighty-headed.Blossyallerswasafooloveranythingthatworebreeches."

Abepushedhischairbackfromthetableandcrossedhislegscomfortably.Forhimallthechillhadgoneoutoftheair.Supposethattherewassomethinginthis?Anold,olddevilofvanitycamebacktotheagedhusband'sheart.HerecalledthathehadbeensomewhatofabeaubeforehelearnedthejoyoflovingAngy.MorethanoneLongIslandlassiehadthrownherselfathishead.OfcourseBlossywould"getover"this;andAngyknewthathisheartwashersasmuchasithadbeenthedayhepurchasedhiswedding-beaver;butAbecouldnotrefrainfromachuckleofcomplacentamusementashestrokedhisbeard.

Hisveryevidenthardnessofheartsohorrifiedtheoldladiesthattheyallbegantoattackhimatonce.

"SeemstermeI'dhavethedecencytershowsomeshame!"grimlyavowed

SarahJane.

Abecouldnothelpit.Hesputtered.EvenMissAbigail's,"Yewwereastrangeran'wetookyewin"didnotsoberhim.

"Efanyoneo'myhusbandshadactedthewayyou'veacted,AbeRose,"beganMrs.Homan.

"PoorleetleAngy,"brokeinthegentleMissElliepityingly."Shemust'a'lostsixpounds."

Abraham'smobilefacecloudedover.

"Angy?"hefaltered."Yewdon'tmeanthatAngy--"Silenceagainfellonthegroup,whileeveryglancewasfastenedonAbraham."Seehere,"heflashedhisfadedblueeye,"Angy'sgotmoresensethanthat!"

Nooneanswered,buttherewasasignificantshruggingofshouldersandliftingofeyebrows.Abrahamwasdistressedandconcernedenoughnow.Risingfromhisplacehebesoughtthesisters:

"Yewdon'tthinkAngy'sfeelin'shavebeenhurt--dewyew,gals?"

Theirfacessoftened,theirfiguresrelaxed,thetideoffeelingchangedinAbraham'sfavor.MissElliespokeverysoftly:

"Yewknowthateven'theLordthyGodisajealousGod.'"

Abrahamgraspedthebackofhischairforsupport,hisfiguregrowinglimpwithastonishment."Mother,jealousofme?"hewhisperedtohimself,thememoryofalltheyearsandallthegreathappeningsofalltheyearscomingbacktohim."Motherjealousofme?"Herememberedhowhehadoncebeentormentedbyjealousyinthelong,theever-so-longago,andofasuddenhehastenedintothehallandwenthalf-runningupthestairs.Hetookholdofthelatchofhisbedroomdoor.Itdidnotopen.Thedoorwaslocked.


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"Angy!"hecalled,afearofheknewnotwhatgrippingathisheart."Angy!"herepeatedasshedidnotanswer.

Thelittleoldwifehadlockedherselfinoutofveryshameoftheraretearswhichhadbeenbroughttothesurfacebythesisters'crueltreatmentofAbraham.Whensheheardhiscallshehastenedtothebluewash-basinandbeganhurriedlytodabhereyes.Hewouldbealarmedifhesawthetracesofherweeping.Whateverhadhappenedtohim,forhissakeshemustfaceitvaliantly.Hecalledagain.Againshedidnotanswer,knowingthathervoicewouldbefullofthetelltaletears.Abewaited.Heheardthetrampoffeetpassingoutofthedining-roomintothehall.HeheardBlossyemergefromherroomattheendofthepassageandgotrippingdownthestairs.ThetimetoAngy,guiltilybathingherface,wasshort;thetimetoheranxioushusbandunaccountablylong.ThesoundofwheelsdrivinguptothefrontdoorcametoAbe'sears.StillAngymadehimnoresponse.

"Angy!"heraisedhisvoiceinpiteouspleading.Whatmatteredifthesistersgatheredinthelowerhallheardhim?Whatmatteredifthechanceguestwhohadjustarrivedheardhimalso?Hehadhispeacetomakewithhiswifeandhewouldmakeit."Angy!"

Sheflungthedooropenhastily.Thesignsofthetearshadnotbeen

obliterated,andherfacewasdrawnandold.Straightwaysheputherhandonhisarmandsearchedhisfaceinquiringly.

"Whatdidthegalssayteryew?"shewhispered."Abe,yewmadeamistakewhenyewpickedoutBl--"

"PoorleetleMother!"heinterrupted."PoorleetleMother!"aworldofremorsefulpityinhistone."Soyewbeenjealousofyeroleman?"

Angeline,astonishedandindignant,withdrewherhandsharply,demandingtoknowifhehadlosthissenses;buttheblindedoldgentlemanslippedhisarmaroundherand,bending,brushedhislipsagainsthercheek."Thar,thar,"hemurmuredsoothingly,"Ididn'tmeannoharm.Ican't

helpitefallthegalsgitstuckonme!"

BeforeAngycouldmakeanyreply,Blossycalledtothecouplesoftlybutinsistentlyfromthefootofthestairs;andAngy,wrenchingherselffree,hasteneddownthesteps,foronceinherlifegladtogetawayfromAbe.Helostnotimeinfollowing.NomatterwhereAngywent,hewouldfollowuntilallwaswellbetweenherandhimagain.

Butwhatwasthis?Atthelanding,AngyhaltedandsodidAbe,forinthecenterofthesistersstoodBlossywithherSundaybonnetperchedonhersilver-goldhairandherwhiteIndiashawloverhershoulders,andbesideBlossystoodCaptainSamuelDarbywithacountenanceexceedinglyradiant,hishandclaspedfastinthatoftheagedbeauty.

"Oh,hurry,SisterAngyandBrotherAbe!"calledBlossy."Wewerewaitingforyou,andI'vegotsomenewsforallmyfriends."Shewaitedsmilinglyforthemtojointheothers;thenwithagesturewhichincludedeverymemberofthehousehold,sheproceeded:"Thepinktea,Iwantyoualltoknow,hadadoublesignificance,andfirst,ofcourse,itwastocelebratetheanniversaryofBrotherAbe'ssojournwithus;butnextitwasmyfarewelltotheHome."HereBlossygurgledandgavethemanatherrightsocoyaglancethatSamuel'sfaceflamedredandhehunghisheadlowertoonesidethanusual,likealittleboythat


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hadbeencaughtstealingapples."Ilefttheteaatrifleearly--youmustforgiveme,BrotherAbe,butIheardthetrain-whistle."AbestoodbesideAngeline,rootedinastonishment,whileBlossycontinuedtoaddresshimdirectly."YougaveSamuelsomanygoodrecommendations,dearbrother,thatwhenthetimeapproachedforhisJunevisit,IfeltthatIsimplycouldnotlethimmissitashedidinDecember.Lastyear,onthedayyouentered,hewasherethroughnodesireofmine.To-dayheishereatmyrequest.Myfriends,"againsheincludedtheentireHomeinherglance,"we'llcomebackalittlelatertosayGood-by.Now,we'reonthewaytotheminister's."

Thepair,Samueltongue-tiedandbewilderedbythejoyofhisfinallywonsuccess,movedtowardthedoor.OnthethresholdoftheHomeBlossyturnedandwavedfarewelltothecompanionsofherwidowhood,whileSamuelbowedinadazedfashion,hisfacestillasredasitwasblissful.Thenquicklythetwopassedoutupontheporch.Noonemovedtoseethemoff.Abelookedeverywhereyetnowhereatall.Notawordwasspokenevenwhenthecarriagewasheardrollingdownthedrive;butthesoundofthewheelsseemedtoarouseAngyfromherstuporofamazement;andpresentlyAbrahambecameconsciousofatouch,--atouchsympathetic,tenderandtrue,--atouchall-understanding--thetouchofAngy'shandwithinhisown.

X

THETURNOFTHETIDE

Fromtimeimmemorialthehistoryofthepopularherohaseverbeenthesame.Tokingandpatriot,tothefavoritegirlatschoolandthesmallboywhoisleaderofthe"gang,"topolitician,topreacher,toactorandauthor,comesfirstworshiptheneclipse.ThegreatNapoleondidnotescapethiscommonfate;andthepublicidolwhowaskissedonlyyesterdayforhisgallantdeedsisscornedto-dayforhavingpermitted

thekissing.Oh,capriceofthehumanheart!Oh,cryoftheracefortheunaccustomed!

FromthatfirstanniversaryofhisentranceintotheHome,Abrahamfelthispopularitydecrease--infactmorethandecrease.Hesawtheweather-vanegosquareabout,andwherehehadknownforthreehundredandsixty-fivedaysthegentle,balmyfeelofthesouthwestzephyr,hefoundhimselfstandingofasuddeninacold,bleaknortheastwind.Thechangebewilderedtheoldman,andreactedonhisdisposition.Ashehadblossomedinthesunshine,sonowhebegantodroopintheshade.Feelingthathewassuspectedandcriticized,hebegantogrowsuspiciousandfault-findinghimself.Hisoldnotionthathehadnorighttotakeawoman'splaceintheInstitutioncamebacktohisbrain,

andhewouldbroodoveritforhoursatatime,sittingoutontheporchwithhispipeandAngy.

TheoldwifegrievedtothinkthatFatherwasgrowingoldandbeginningtoshowhisyears.Shemadehimsometansytea,butneitherherpersuasionsnorthoseofthewholehouseholdcouldinducehimtotakeit.Hehadneverliked"doctoring"anyway,althoughhehadsubmittedtoitmoreorlessduringthepastyearinunconscioussubserviencetohisdesiretoincreasehispopularity;butnowhefanciedthatwhereoncehehadbeenservedasakingbyallthesefemaleattendants,hewassimply


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being"pestered"asapunishmentforhispastbehaviorwithBlossy.Ah,withitssurprisingendingthathadbeenahumiliatingaffair;andhefelttoothathewouldbelonginforgivingMrs.Darbyfornothavingconfidedtohimheractualintentions.Nowhewasafraidtobedecentlycourteoustooneofthesistersforfearthattheymightaccusehimoflightdallianceagain;andhescarcelyeveraddressedthenewmemberwhocametotakeBlossy'slittleroom,forhehadbeencuttothequickbyherlookofastonishmentwhenshewastoldthathebelongedthere.

InhismentalfermenttheoldmanbegantonagatAngy.Sadthoughitistoconfessofaherohonestlyloved,Abrahamhadnaggedalittleallhismarriedlifewhenthingswentwrong.AndAngeline,frettedandnervous,herselfworriedalmostsickoverFather'scondition,wasguiltyonceinawhileoutofthedepthsofheranxietyofnaggingbackagain.Sodowehurtthosewhomwelovebestaswewouldandcouldhurtnoother.

"ItoldyerInevercouldstandithereamongstallthesedrattedwomen-folks,"Abewoulddeclare."It'sallyourfaultthatIdidn'tgotothepoorhouseinpeace."

"Inoticeyewdidn'traisenoobjectionsuntilyew'dlivedhereayear,"Angywouldretort;butignoringthisremark,hewouldgoon:

"It's'BrotherAbe'thisan''BrotherAbe'that!asefIhadthirty

wivesa-pesterin'meinstidofone.Ican'tkillaflybutit's'BrotherAbe,lemmeburyhimferyew.'DoyerallthinkIbeababy?"demandedtheoldgentlemanwithglaringeye."IguessI'mableterdosomethin'fermyselfonceinawhile.Ihain'tsooldassomefolksmightthink,"hecontinuedwithsuperbinconsistence."IbeamerechildcomparedwiththatairplaguedNancySmith."

IttookverylittletoexhaustAngy'sabilityforthisstyleofrepartee,andshewouldrejoinwithtenderbutmistakeneffortstosootheandcomforthim:

"Thar,thar,Father!don'tgitexcitedneow.Seemstermeye'realeetlebitfeverish.Efonlyyew'dtakethisheretansytea."

Abrahamwouldgiveoneexasperatedglanceatthetincupandmutterintothedepthsofhisbeard:

"Tansyteaan'oldwomen!Oldwomenan'tansytea!Tansyteabedurned!"

Abefailedperceptiblyduringthesummer,grewfeeblerastheautumnwindsblewin,andbyNovemberhetooktohisbedandthephysicianoftheHome,alittlewhiffetofapompousidiot,wascalledtoattendhim.Thedoctor,determinedatthestarttomakeaseverecaseoftheoldman'safflictioninorderthathemighthavethegreatergloryintheend,beitgoodorbad,lookedverygraveoverAbraham'stongueandpulse,prescribedmedicineforeveryhalf-hour,andlaidespecialstress

uponthenecessityofkeepingthepatientinbed.

"Humbug!"growledthesecretlyterrifiedinvalid,andinanexcessofbravadotookhisblacksilknecktiefromwhereithungonthebedpostandtieditinabow-knotaroundthecollarofhispink-stripednightshirt,sothathewouldbeinpropershapetoreceiveanyofthesisters.Thenhelayverystill,hiseyesclosed,astheycametiptoeinginandout.Theirtongueswereongentletiptoetoo,althoughnotsogentlebutthathecouldhearthemadvising:one,a"good,stiffmustardplaster";one,an"onionpoultice";another,a"Spanishblister";while


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AuntNancystoppedshortofnothinglessthan"old-fashionedbleeding."Abelayverystillandwonderediftheymeanttokillhim.Hewasprobablygoingtodieanyhow,sowhytormenthim.Onlywhenhewasdead,hehopedthattheywouldthinkmorekindlyofhim.Andsosurroundedyetalone,theoldmanfoughthissecretterroruntilmercifullyhewenttosleep.

Whenheawoketherewerethesistersagain;anddayafterdaytheyspenttheircombinedeffortsinkeepinghimonhisbackandforcinghimtotakehismedicine,theonlyappreciablegoodresultingtherefrombeingthefactthatwiththistaxupontheirdevotiontheoldladiescameoncemoretoregardAbeasthemostpreciouspossessionoftheHome.

"Whatefheshoulddie?"theywhisperedamongthemselves,repentantenoughoftheirlatecondemnationofhimandalreadydesolateatthethoughtofhisleavingthislittlehavenwiththemforthe"greathaven"overthere;andthewhisperreachingthesickroom,Abe'sfeverwouldrise,whilehecouldneverlifthislashesexcepttoseethespecterofhelplessoldageononesideofthebedanddeathupontheother.

"What'sthematterwithme?"hedemandedofthedoctor,asonewhowouldsay:"Pooh!pooh!You'reahumbug!Whatdoyoumeanbykeepingmeinbed?"Yettheoldmanwastremblingwiththatinnerfear.Thephysician,

afemininekindofabeardedcreaturehimself,tookAbe'shandinhis--anengagingtrickhehadwiththeoldladies.

"Now,myfriend,donotdistressyourself.Ofcourse,youareaverysickman;Icannotdeceiveyouastothat;butduringmyprofessionalcareer,Ihaveseensomeremarkablecasesofrecoveryand--"

"Butwhat'sthematterwithme?"brokeinAbe,bythistimefairlywhitewithfear.Thedoctorhadassuredhimthatallhisorgansweresound,sohecouldonlyconcludethathemusthaveoneofthoseunusualdiseasessuchasMissAbigailwasreadingaboutinthepaperyesterday.Maybe,althoughhislegsweresothinto-day,hewasonthevergeofanattackofelephantiasis!

"What'sthematterwithme?"herepeated,hiseyesgrowingwilderandwilder.

Whatthedoctorreallyrepliedwouldbedifficulttotell;butoutoftheconfusionofhistechnicalitiesAbecaughtthewords,"nerves"and"hysteria."

"Mother,yewhearthat?"hecried."Igotnarvoushysterics.Itoldyersomethin'wouldhappentermea-comin'tothishereplace.Allthemoldwoman'sdiseasesisketchin'.Whyon'arthdidn'tyerletmegotothepoorhouse?"

Hefellbackonthepillowanddrewthebedclothesuptohisears,whileAngyfollowedthedoctoroutintothehalltoreceive,asAbesupposed,amoredetaileddescriptionofhismalady.Hefelttooweak,however,toquestionAngywhenshereturned,andstubbornlykepthiseyescloseduntilheheardMrs.HomantiptoeintotheroomtoannounceinhushedtonesthatBlossyandSamuelDarbywerebelow,andSamuelwantedtoknowifhemightseetheinvalid.

ThenAbethrewoffthecoversinahurryandsatup."Sam'lDarby?"heasked,thestrengthcomingbackintohisvoice."Aman!Naryawoman


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neradoctor!Yes--yes,showhimup!"

AngynoddedinresponsetoMrs.Homan'sglanceofinquiry;forhadnotthedoctortoldherthatitwouldnothastentheendtohumorthepatientinanyreasonablewhim?AndshealsoconsentedtowithdrawwhenAbeinformedherthathewishedtobeleftalonewithhisvisitor,asitwassolongsincehehadbeenfacetofacewithaman"an'nopetticoata-hangin''roundthecorner."

"Naow,bekeerful,Cap'nDarby,"thelittlemother-wifecautionedatthedoor,"beverykeerful.Don'tstaytewlongan'don'trilehimup,ferhe'sdretfulexcited,Abeis."

XI

MENTALTREATMENT

LittleSamuelDarbypausedatthefootofthebedandstaredatAbewithoutsayingaword,whileAbefixedhisdim,distressedeyesonhisvisitorwithadumbappealforassistance.Samuellookedavery

differentmanfromtheoldbachelorwhousedtocomea-wooingeverysixmonthsattheHome.Eithermarriagehadbroughthimanewgrowthofhair,orelseBlossyhadselectedanewwigforhim--amodest,close,iron-graywhichfittedhispolltoperfection.MarriageorBlossyhadalsoovercomeinSamuelthattendencytohanghishead"tostarb'd";andnowheliftedhisbrighteyeswiththemannerofonewhowouldsay:

"See!I'mkingofmyselfandmyhousehold!Beholdwhatonewomanhasdoneforme!"AndinturnAbe'sunstrungvigorandfeebledependencecriedoutasloudly:"Ihaven'taleglefttostandon.Beholdwhattoomuchwomanhasdoneforme!"

"Ain'tyewa-goin'tershakehands?"inquiredAbrahamatlast,wondering

atthelongsilenceandtheincomprehensiblestare,hisfearsaccentuatedbythisseemingindicationofasupremeandhopelesspity."Ain'tyewa-goin'tershakehands?Erbeyewafeardofketchin'it,tew?"

ForamomentlongerSamuelcontinuedtostare,thenofasuddenheroared,"Gitup!"

"Huh?"queriedAbe,notbelievinghisownears."Why,Cap'nSam'l,don'tyewknowthatI'madoomedman?Igotthe'narvoushysterics.'"

"Yewgotthepip!"retortedCaptainDarbycontemptuously,andtrottingquicklyaroundtothesideofthebed,heseizedAbebytheshoulders

andbegantodraghimoutuponthefloor,cryingagain,"Gitup!"

Thesickmancouldaccountforthisremarkablebehaviorinnowayexceptbyconcludingthathisoldcaptainhadgoneintoseniledementia--oh,cruel,cruelafflictionsthatlifebringstooldfolkswhenlifeisalmostdone!Well,thoughtAbe,hewouldratherbesickanddieinhisrightmindthangocrazy.Hebegantowhimper,whereuponSamuelthrewhimbackuponhispillowsindisgust.

"Cryin'!Oh,Iswan,he'scryin'!"Darbygaveashortlaughpregnant


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withscorn."AbeRose,dewyewknowwhatailsyew?"hedemandedfixinghiseyesfiercelyupontheinvalid."Dewyewknowwhat'llhappentewyewefyewdon'tgitouto'thisbedan'thisherehouse?Eitheryerbeard'llfalloutan'yew'lldwindledeownterthesizeo'ababyoryew'llturnintoadownrightoldwoman--AuntAbraham!--won'tthatsoundnice?Oryew'lldieoryew'llgocrazy._Gitouterbed!_"

Thepatientshookhisheadandsankback,closinghiseyes,moreexhaustedthanever.AndhehimselfhadheardAngywarnthismaninawhispernotto"rilehimup!"RemorselesslywentontherejuvenatedDarby:

"Hain'ta-goin'tergitup,heh?Yewoldmollycoddle!Yewbaby!OldLady31!Kiffycalf!ButIhain'ta-blamin'yew;efIhadlivedinthishereplaceayearan'ahalf,I'dbestark,starin'mad!Leetletootsie-wootsie!_Gitup_!"

Abehadopenedhiseyesandwasoncemorestaringattheother,hismindslowlycomingtothelightoftherealizationthatSamuelmightbemoresanethanhimself.

"That'swhatItoldAngyallalong,"heventured."Itoldher,Isays,saysI,'Humbug!Foolishness!Ye'rea-makin'areg'larbabyofme.Why,'Isays,'what'sthedifferencebetweenmean'thesehere

women-folksexceptthatIwearabeardan'smokeapipe?'"

"Thenwhydon'tyewgitup?"demandedtheinexorableSamuel."Gitupan'fool'em;or,gosh-all-hemlock!they'llbemeasurin'yewferyercoffinnextweek.WhenIcomeinterthehall,whatdewyewthinktheseheresisterso'yournwasa-discussin'?Theywasa-arguin'thep'intastowhetherthey'dburyyewinashroudoryerSundaysuit."

Abrahamputonefootoutofbed.Samueltookholdofhisarmandwiththisassistancetheoldmanmanagedtogetupentirelyandstand,thoughshakingasifwiththepalsy,uponthefloor.

"Feelpootygood,don'tyew?"demandedSamuel,butwithlessseverity.

"Aleetlesoft,aleetlesoft,"mutteredtheother."Gimmemycane.Thar,efoneo'themwomencomesinthedoorI'll--I'll--"Abrahamraisedhisstickandshookitattheinnocentair."Whar'smypipe?Mis'Homan,shewentan'hiditlastweek."

Aftersomesearching,SamuelfoundthepipeinAbe'shat-boxunderneaththeoldman'sbeaver,andproducedfromhisownpocketapackageoftobacco,whereuponthetwosatdownforaquietsmoke,Samuelchucklingtohimselfeverynowandagain,Abemodestlyseekingfromtimetotimetocoverhisba

old lady number 31 by forsslund, louise, 1873-1910

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