Part 20 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXI
THE END OF THE TERM
But the companions.h.i.+p of the grim and glum proprietor of the Red Mill was not conducive--in Ruth's case, at least--to any feeling of pleasure. Uncle Jabez seemed about to speak to her a dozen times before they were out of sight of the mill; but every time Ruth turned toward him, half expecting to be addressed, his lips were grimly set and he was looking straight ahead over the mules' ears.
It is doubtful if Uncle Jabez saw anything of the beauty of the day or the variety of the landscape. Looking as he did he could not have observed by his eyes of flesh much but the brown ribbon of road before them, for miles. And it is doubtful if, spiritually, he appreciated much of the beauty of the June day. The mules toiled up the long hill, straining in their collars; but they began to trot upon the other side of the ridge and the five miles to Cheslow were covered in a comparatively short time.
Finally, when Uncle Jabez drew up before one of the largest stores, she felt that she must break the awful silence. And stumblingly she preferred her request:
”If you are going to be some time trading, Uncle Jabez, can't I go down to call on Mercy Curtis? I can come here again and meet you at any time you say.”
”Who's that? Sam Curtis' gal--the cripple?” asked Uncle Jabez, shortly.
”Yes, sir. She likes to have me come and see her.”
”Can't you find nothing more interestin' to do when ye come to town than go to see a sick gal?” was the miller's surprising inquiry.
”I--I promised to call on her if I could whenever I was in town. She really likes to have me come,” explained Ruth.
”Well, you can go,” grunted Uncle Jabez. ”I'll stop there for ye when I'm done tradin'.”
He had already climbed down from the high seat. Ruth came lightly down after him and he actually turned and jumped her over the wheel so that her dress should not be soiled. Then, suddenly, he said:
”Wait. I want you to go into this store with me first.”
He turned away abruptly, so that Ruth could not see what his countenance expressed. He carefully tied his mules to a hitching post and then stumped into the store without again glancing in her direction. Ruth followed him timidly.
It was a big store with many departments, and on one side were dry goods and clothing, where the clerks were women, or young girls, while the groceries, provisions, hardware and agricultural tools were displayed upon the other side of the long room. Uncle Jabez strode straight to the first woman he saw who was disengaged.
”This girl wants a dress to wear to the school graduating,” he said, in his harsh voice. ”It must be white. Let her pick out the goods, all the fal-lals that go with it, and a pattern to make it by. Ye understand?”
”Yes, sir,” said the woman, smiling.
”You know me?” asked Uncle Jabez. ”Yes? Then send the bill to the other side of the store and I'll pay it when I sell my meal and flour.” Then to the astounded Ruth he said: ”I'll come to Sam Curtis'
for you when I'm done. See you don't keep me waiting.”
He wheeled and strode away before Ruth could find her voice. She was so amazed that she actually felt faint She could not understand it. A white dress! And she to make her choice alone, without regard to material, or price! She could have been no more stunned had Uncle Jabez suddenly run mad and been caught by the authorities and sent to an asylum.
But the shop woman awoke her, having asked her twice what kind of white goods she wanted to see. The repeated query brought Ruth to her senses. She put the astonis.h.i.+ng fact that Uncle Jabez had done this, behind her, and remembered at once the importance of the task before her.
She had not listened to the talk of the other girls at school for nothing. She knew just what was the most popular fabric that season for simple white dresses that could be ”done up” when soiled. She had even found the style of a dress she liked in a fas.h.i.+on magazine that one of the girls had had at school. Ruth was self-posessed at once.
She went about her shopping as carefully and with as little haste as though she had been buying for herself for years; whereas this was the very first frock that she had ever been allowed to have the choice of.
There were costlier goods, and some of the girls of the graduating cla.s.s were to have them; but Ruth chose something so durable and at so low a price that she hoped Uncle Jabez would not be sorry for his generosity. She saw the goods, and lace, and b.u.t.tons, and all the rest, made up into a neat package and sent across to the other counter with the bill, and then went out of the store and up Market Street toward the railroad.
She saw Uncle Jabez nowhere, or she would have run to him to thank him for the present. And she had been in Mercy Curtis' front window for quite an hour before the mules turned the corner into the street and the wagon rattled up to the house and stopped.
”And is that ugly old man your uncle?” demanded Mercy, who had been less crusty and exacting herself on this occasion.
”That is Uncle Jabez;” admitted Ruth, hastening to put on her hat.