|
The walls were of logs;but the roof was shingled.
Well, youve got the hay; good
hay, too; and lots of it. Lund, as she worked over the stove, kept softly
crying toherself. He returned to his homestead bringing a team.
For a moment
the crowd of guests lingered at the gate where Mrs.
Then, as he drove over the
virgin snow, he began, as usual, toargue with himself. Money cameeasily: he had
saved over a hundred and fifty dollars in a fewmonths.
He intended to unhitch
and to feed in its shelter. Lund who was washing the breakfastdishes,
barefooted as she was, ran out over the snow.
Somebody called for Nelson,
somebody else, for the bride. He intended to unhitch and to feed in its
shelter. It was a minute or sobefore it was opened.
The stable, too, had been
much enlarged; and there was a granary.
Thus started Niels first winter in the
northern forest.
For some time already the girlhad been indifferent to the
worries of her old home. With a sinking heart he turned and strode off across
theclearing. But the girl also edged over on her side, disdaining to
takeadvantage of him. A lassitudecame over him: a desire to evade lifes issues
Lund, as she worked over the stove, kept softly crying toherself.
Then Ill
blow you over, he threatened, veering about.
Niels wondered how she might speak
to another girl.
There was a distant look in his eyes when at last he
broughthimself to reply, Maybe to you.
Here, there were big trees which any one
could fell for firewood.
On the berries anddrupes of saskatoon and plum lay the
first blush of purple.
|
