Abekept slapping neck and hands, for mosquitoes
were bad.
Blessings, like disasters, have a habit of coming
in pairs. There were four children now: two boys and two girls, the name ofthe
youngest being Frances.
Evenso, he knew he would be crowded for
time.
This ploughingNicoll did while Bill Crane helped
Abe with his breaking.
To him the world was a thing to beconquered,
waiting to take the impress of his mind and will. Theyre working on both lines, said
Halls voice. Abe returned to the barn where Bill Crane was milking.
Abekept slapping neck and hands, for mosquitoes
were bad. Ruth did not answer; but she was drying her tears with her
apron.
Abe left them andentered behind the
children.
As for Nicoll, he and Abe became more than
neighbours that summer;they became friends. Look into the bin and see how much oats
is left.
But if a manshows he can make a success, Ill help
him all I can.
Both Ruth and Abe were aware of these
things.
I was thinking of asking fer a job myown self.
Hall, however, did not take the slightest notice of her. Then, I say, Ill crop what
Itill or go where I can do so. Immediately after dinner Abe rose from table and
returned to theyard where Nicoll joined him.
When filing his claimhe had produced naturalization
papers. Abe began to take oats to the various stalls.
He paced up and down on thefar side of the
dining-table, Ruth standing in the door of thekitchen.
She sank into a chair by the door, covering her
face with an apron. Perhaps I do, she said, a white line around her
lips.
Feelingdriven, she ceased changing her aprons at
meal-time.
You get your hired man one degreeremoved. The hired
man had his more or less defined hours; Abehad not.