\"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。\"