"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。"