Part 77 (1/2)

And that night Jean said to Derry, ”I am glad there were flowers to make it lovesome--and I am glad there were vegetables to make it right.”

So he drew a waving field of corn back of the dream cottage, and tomatoes and peas to the right and left--with onions in a stiff row along the border, and potatoes storming the hillside. But the gate which led to the Lovesome Garden was open wide, so that one might see the Cupid as he rode his swan.

THE LAST DAY

It was on the tenth day that Derry said, ”We have our house and the furniture for it, and we have built an altar, and found our friends, and we have planted a garden--what shall we do on the last day?”

And Jean said, rather unexpectedly, ”We will go to the circus.”

”To the circus?”

”Yes. And take the children--they are dying to go, and Margaret can't.

It is up to you and me, Derry.”

Even Nurse was to stay behind. ”We'll have them all to ourselves.”

Derry was dubious, a little hurt. ”It seems rather queer, doesn't it, on our last day?”

”I--I think I should like it better than anything else, Derry.”

And so they went.

It was warm with a hint of showers in the air, and both of the children were in white. Jean was also in white. They rode in the General's limousine to where the big tent with all its flags flying covered a vast s.p.a.ce.

”Cousin Derry, Mother said I might have some peanuts.”

”All right, old man.”

”And Margaret-Mary mustn't. But there are some crackers in a bag.”

It was all most entrancing, the gilded wagons, the restless beasts behind their bars, the spotted ponies, the swaying elephants, the bands playing, the crowds streaming--.

Teddy held tight to Jean's hand. Margaret-Mary was carried high on Derry's shoulder. All of her curls were bobbing, and her eyes were s.h.i.+ning. Now and then she dropped a light kiss on the silver blond hair of her cavalier.

”Tousin Dee,” she murmured, affectionately.

”She's an adorable kiddie,” Derry told Jean as they found their seats.

”Cousin Derry,” Teddy reminded him, ”don't forget the peanuts.”

And now the trumpets blared and the drums boomed, and the great parade writhed like a glittering serpent around the huge circle, then broke up into various groups as the performance began in the rings.

After that one needed all of one's eyes. Teddy sat spellbound for a while, but found time at last to draw a long breath. ”Cousin Derry, that is the funniest clown--”

”The little one?”