As usual Abe was the only one who was haying
sofar.
The misconception put him onthe defensive; he
justified himself to himself. Ruth felt perhaps evenmore flattered than the girl
herself. TWENTYMarionSchool had closed, and Marion had come home, changed
again.
From week to week farmers watched the market,
hoping it wouldrecover. Onlyweeds thrived in such weather; and to keep them down,
the ploughinghad to be done.
The east-bound mixed was runon the siding at
Willett. To realize the fury of the storm, one had to be in it. Can you look up the
dates on which freight trains have gone westof late? Abe went through the kitchen
into the living-room beyond. When there would have been no choice to make. Well-l-l,
Jim squirmed, hes Marions beau.
She would have had the maturity to make her
choice.
Ive been thinking, Abe, he said as if there had
never been anybreak in their friendship.
The teacher saysshe was at school; and she can
prove it.
Could there be amistake in your register? Inthe
evenings, Ruth went with them, allowing the young people topair off by themselves.
Ruth and the girls looked at him; and so did Jim who was helping. He returned to the
school which was being dismissed for the noonrecess.
He returned to the school which was being dismissed
for the noonrecess.
If she is innocent, it is a revelation
toher.
TWENTY-TWOThe Christmas DinnerAbe slept little
during the night before Christmas.
The east-bound mixed was runon the siding at
Willett. At ten or eleven, the patient loverreturned to Somerville in his car. He
came to the eastern corner of the windbreak. Yet aformal engagement was recognized
to exist between the lovers.
Perhaps he was as eligible a husband for the girl
as he, herfather, could have picked. Abes help was welcome, for he had moved a house
before. Abe did the same with his sister; and,the girls following, they took their
seats.
As they entered, he closed the doorbehind his back.
Young Harrisons presence wasessential to its success; what if the blizzard prevented
hiscoming?
And after breakfast Abe went out again,restless and
disturbed.