And they shook hands in an almost perfunctory
way.
Just how matters stood at her house, was hard to
tell. I am no speculator, he said briefly and forbiddingly.
Well, and why did you not come up right away? He
wasseeking for a diversion; he had had a glimpse into a self-torturednature; no
lovely sight. Thehouseholders in whose yards they worked came out, looking on
andtalking to Pete. He was all the angrier since he saw thatJohn was half convinced
of the justice of his reproach.
During the winter that followed he aged greatly: he
felt verylonesome. Half the purpose of his whole existence was gone. I am no
speculator, he said briefly and forbiddingly.
We are not used to the early hours of the
farm.
As the morning advanced and daylight came, the town
awoke.
If God had ordained things that way, perhaps there
was a meaning init, a purpose?
John Elliot shot her a glance and resumed his
impatient walk.
So, after a while, his anger changed into
self-pity. Beyond the train stood a line of freight cars one of which wasloaded with
cord wood.
Unreasonably, John Elliot felt neglected. And, with
a sudden _expression_ of grimness, he added, Im bachingit.
On the way back to the station Pete asked,Are you
getting hungry? Howden wont commit himself, John went on after a while.
They went to the back door of the house and,
through a shed,entered the kitchen.
At least he has always made a livingfor himself and
for me and the children. And again they sat on the empty rack, driving back to the
freight-yard. Pete threw the harness over the horses, leavingtheir blankets on them
for protection underneath. Oh well, there may be some explanation, of
course.
When they stopped at last, Pete said, Another day
gone. Yes, he said slowly, hanging his head and raisinghis hands in a sideways
motion. When it was finished, John Elliot looked at his big silver
watch.
Johns intonation was hinting at all that he didnot
say.
It was a wonder, so thesettler said, that the whole
blooming town had not beendestroyed.
Gladys said and shut her mouth on the words in a
thin,straight line. But most of all he was angry; he felt aggrieved.
So, after five days of rest, Isabelwent to work
again, with twins on her hand.
Harvey; for Kenneth hadgone to Kicking Horse to get
the doctor who arrived too late. When he entered the parlour, it seemed less large
than he hadexpected. As they did so, Woodrow said apologetically, You must excuse
us,father.