Part 5 (1/2)
”No; it's Esther.”
”Esther?”
”Yes, it's Esther.”
”Well, I declare! When was it took?”
”About ten years ago, when she was in Elliot.”
”Well, all I've got to say is, if anybody had asked me, I'd have said it was took for you yesterday. Why, Mis' Field, what's the matter?”
”There ain't anything the matter.”
”Why, you look dreadfully.”
Mrs. Field's face was pale, and there was a curious look about her whole figure. It seemed as if shrinking from something, twisting itself rigidly, as a fossil tree might shrink in a wind that could move it.
”I feel well 'nough,” said she. ”I guess it's the light.”
”Well, mebbe 'tis,” replied Amanda, still looking anxiously at her.
”Of course you know if you feel well, but you do look dreadful white to me. Don't you want some water, or a swaller of cold tea?”
”No, I don't want a single thing; I'm well enough.” Mrs. Field's tone was almost surly. She held out her hand for the photograph. ”I must be goin',” she continued; ”I ain't got my dustin' done. I jest come across this, an' I thought I'd show it to you, an' see what you said.”
”Well, I shouldn't have dreamed but what it was yours; but then you an' your sister did look jest alike. I never could tell you apart when you first came here.”
”Folks always said we looked alike. We always used to be took for each other when we was girls, an' I think we looked full as much alike after our hair begun to turn. Mine was a little lighter than hers, an' that made some difference betwixt us before. It didn't show when we was both gray.”
”I shouldn't have thought 'twould. Well, I must say, I shouldn't dream but what that picture was meant for you.”
Mrs. Field took her way out of the room.
”How's Lois this mornin'?” Amanda called after her.
”About the same, I guess.”
”I saw her goin' out of the yard this mornin', an' I thought she walked dreadful weak.”
”I guess she don't walk any too strong.”
When Mrs. Field was in her own room she stowed away the photograph in the sh.e.l.l box; then she got a little broom and brushed the sh.e.l.l-work carefully; she thought it looked dusty in spite of her rubbing.
When the dusting was done it was time for her to get her dinner ready. Indeed, there was not much leisure for Mrs. Field all day. She seldom sat down for long at a time. From morning until night she kept up her stiff resolute march about her house.
At half-past twelve she had the dinner on the table, but Lois did not come. Her mother went into the sitting-room, sat down beside a window, and watched. The town clock struck one. Mrs. Field went outdoors and stood by the front gate, looking down the road. She saw a girl coming in the distance with a flutter of light skirts, and she exclaimed with gladness, ”There she is!” The girl drew nearer, and she saw it was Ida Starr in a dress that looked like Lois'.
The girl stopped when she saw Mrs. Field at the gate. ”Good-morning,”
said she.