Part 22 (1/2)

Calvin rose again, running his fingers through his thick brown hair as he did so, and seeming to draw himself up to a portentous height.

”I--don't--know, Mr. Cheeseman!” he said slowly. ”I've got to study over it a bit. I can't say right away just what I shall do.”

”You won't--” Mr. Cheeseman began; but broke off suddenly, and looked anxiously at Calvin.

”Won't what? Marry Phrony Marlin? I will not! You may lay out your stock on that. I think I'll be goin' now, Mr. Cheeseman. That my b.u.t.ter-scotch? I'll take it right along, if you say so.”

Mr. Cheeseman rose, and began packing the b.u.t.ter-scotch, glancing anxiously now and then at Calvin, who stood lost in thought, his hand still in his brown locks.

”I'll stop the talk in the street, Calvin,” he said solicitously. ”That I can do, and will before an hour's over. But isn't there something else I can do? I'd take it as a kindness if you'd let me help you, any way, shape or manner that you can think of.”

”I guess not, sir!” said Calvin; ”full as much obliged to you, though. I guess I've got to work this out for myself. I've got a long route to-day, all round by Tupham and the Corners, and I'll study it out as I go along. I've got to think of--of the woman I hope to marry, G.o.d bless her, and yet I've got to think of them two poor misfortunate creatur's that haven't a friend in the world as I know of except me. And as for the talk,” he added, ”well,--yes! if you'll stop that I'll be greatly obliged to you. But do it as easy as you can, Mr. Cheeseman! Just say it ain't so, you know, or she was jokin', or like that; let her off as easy as you can, poor creatur'. I don't think she's just right in her mind.

Why, she can't be! There! now I'll be ramblin' along.”

He started to leave the kitchen, but the old candy-maker caught his sleeve eagerly.

”Friend Calvin,” he said, ”how did the Christmas trade come out? You haven't told me a word.”

”That so?” said Calvin. ”This confounded rinktum put it out of both our heads, I expect. Why, I done first-rate, Mr. Cheeseman; first-rate! I've got five hundred dollars laid by now, sir; and as I reckon it out that's enough to start out on, with a good route, doin' well. What say?”

”Full enough!” said Mr. Cheeseman heartily. ”I wish you joy, friend Calvin! Have you got it in the bank?”

Calvin's face fell slightly.

”Not yet,” he said. ”I only got my full sum made up last night; 'twarn't convenient for some to pay cash, you know, and to-day's bank holiday.

But to-morrow mornin', Mr. Cheeseman, at nine o'clock, you look out and you'll see little Calvin on them bank steps over yonder, with his wallet in his hand; and then, Mr. Cheeseman,--then's my time!”

Mr. Cheeseman looked after him as he drove slowly away, his head bent in thought, a very different Calvin Parks from the one who had burst in so joyously an hour before with his New Year greeting.

”He's a good feller!” said the old gentleman. ”I never see a better feller than that. I hope he'll come through all right; but there's just one thing troubles me, and yet I couldn't feel to say it to him. _Where did Phrony Marlin get that money_?”

CHAPTER XVII

NIGHT

The brown horse had a dull day of it. No cheery remarks, no s.n.a.t.c.hes of song, no cracking of the whip about his responsive ears. He whinnied remonstrance and inquiry now and then, but received no reply. Calvin Parks drove moodily along, his shoulders up to his ears, his head sunk between them, his eyes staring straight ahead. He could hardly even bring his mind to trade, and Mrs. Weazel got five cents off the price of her marshmallows, and was straightway consumed with anguish because she had not tried for ten.

”What's wrong with you, Cal?” asked Si Sloc.u.m at the Corners. ”Didn't the Pie-fillene set good?”

”That's all right!” said Calvin briefly.

”I was clearin' out a lot of old samples,” Si went on, ”and Phrony come meechin' and beseechin', the way she does, and I give her the whole bunch. I mistrusted she'd try 'em on you. Come in, won't ye?”

”I'm in a hurry!” replied Calvin. ”Here's the goods you ordered; all right, be they?”