Part 4 (1/2)

Of her mind one cannot say quite as much. She is not entirely well bred, it seemed to me; but then we are a little old-fas.h.i.+oned in Tuskamuck.

She did notice the scarf, and asked me where I got it.

”Oh,” she said, when I had told her, ”then you have been abroad.”

”Yes,” I said, ”I went with my father.”

”Judge Privet took you abroad several times, didn't he?” Olivia put in.

”Yes; I went with him three times.”

”Oh, my!” commented Miss West. ”How set up you must feel!”

”I don't think I do,” I answered, laughing. ”Do you feel set up because you have seen the West that so few of us have visited?”

”Why, I never thought of that,” she responded. ”You haven't any of you traveled in the West, have you?”

”I haven't, at least.”

”But that ain't anything to compare with going abroad,” she continued, her face falling; ”and going abroad three times, too. I should put on airs all the rest of my life if I'd done that.”

It is not fair to go on putting down in black and white things that she said without thinking. I am ashamed of the satisfaction I found myself taking in her commonness. I was even so unfair to her that I could not help thinking that she somehow did not ring true. I wonder if a woman can ever be entirely just to another woman who has been praised by the man she cares for? If not I will be an exception to my s.e.x! I will not be small and mean, just because Miss West is so lovely that no man could see her without--well, without admiring her greatly.

January 22. I went down to the grist-mill this afternoon to see Deacon Daniel, and to represent to him the sufferings of the faithful at frozen prayer-meetings. He was standing in the door of the mill, which was open to the brisk air, and his mealy frock gave a picturesque air to his great figure. He greeted me pleasantly, as he always does.

”I've come on business,” I said.

”Your own or somebody's else?” he asked, with a grin.

”Not exactly mine,” I admitted.

”What has Aunt Naomi sent you for now?” he demanded.

I laughed at his penetration.

”You are too sharp to be deceived,” I said. ”Aunt Naomi did send me.

They tell me you are trying to destroy the church by freezing them all to death at the prayer-meetings.”

”Aunt Naomi can't be frozen. She's too dry.”

”That isn't at all a nice thing to say, Deacon Richards,” I said, smiling. ”You can't cover your iniquities by abusing her.”

He showed his teeth, and settled himself against the door-post more comfortably.

”Why didn't she come herself?” he inquired.

”She said that she was afraid you'd pop her into the hopper. You see what a monster you are considered.”

”I wouldn't be willing to spoil my meal.”