\"ItlooksallrightonthecolumbinesintheIndianCellar，\"
repliedPatty，turningandtwistingthehatonherhead。\"Ifwecan’tgetapeekattheBostonfashions，wemustjustfindourstyleswherewecan！\"
ThevariousroadstoToryHillwerealivewithvehiclesonthisbrightSundaymorning。UncleBartandAbelDay，withtheirrespectivewivesonthebackseatoftheCole’sdoublewagon，werepassedbyDeaconBaxterandhisdaughters，Waitstillbeingdueatmeetingearlierthanothersbyreasonofhersinginginthechoir。TheDeacon’sone—horse，two—wheeled\"shay\"couldholdthreepersons，withcomfortonitsbroadseat，andthetwenty—year—oldmare，althoughshewasalwaysashollowasagourd，couldgenerallydothemile，uphillalltheway，inhalfanhour，ifurgedcontinually，andtheDeacon，beitsaid，ifnotgoodatfeeding，wasunsurpassedaturging。
AuntAbbyColecouldgetonlyapassingglimpseofPattyinthedepthsofthe\"shay，\"butaglimpsewasalwaysenoughforher，asheropinionofthegirl’scharmswasconsiderablyaffectedbytheforlornconditionofhersonCephas，whomshesuspectedofbeinghopelesslyinlovewiththeyoungpersonaforesaid，towhomshecommonlyalludedas\"thatred—headedbag—gage。\"
\"PatienceBaxter’sgotthekindoflooksthatmightdowellenoughatataverndance，orahusking，butthey’reentirelyunsuitedtotheSabbathdayorthemeetin’—house，\"soAuntAbbyremarkedtoMrs。Dayinthewayofbackseatconfidence。\"It’sunfortunatethatadeacon’sdaughtershouldbeafflictedwiththatboldstyleofbeauty！Herhair’sallbutred；infact，youmightaswellcallitred，whenthesunshinesonit：butifshe’deversmackitdownwithbear’sgreaseshemightdarkenitsome；oranyhowshe’dmakeitlayslicker；butit’sthekindofhairthatjustmatchesthatkindofagirl，——sortofupan’
comin’！Thenherskin’ssowhiteandhercheekssopinkandhereyessosnappythatshe’dattractattentionwithouthalftryingthoughIguesssheain’tabovemakin’aneffort。\"
\"She’sinnnocentasakitten，\"observedMrs。Dayimpartially。
\"Oh，yes，she’sinnocentenoughan’Ihopeshe’llkeepso！
Waitstill’sasighthan’somer，ifthetruthwastold；butshe’sthesortofgirlthat’smadeforonemanandtherestofemneverlookather。Theotherone’scutoutforthecrowd，themorethemerrier。She’sakindofman—trap，thatgirlis！——Dourgethehorsealittlemite，Bartholomew！Itmakesmekindo’hottobepassedbyDeaconBaxter。It’sMissionarySunday，too，whenhegen’allyhasrheumatismtoobadtocomeout。\"
\"Iwonderifheeverputsanythingintotheplate，\"saidMrs。
Day。\"Nooneeversawhim，thatIknowof。\"
\"TheDeaconkeepstheThouShaltNotcommandmentsprettywell，\"
wasAuntAbby’sterseresponse。\"Iguesshedon’tputnothin’
intotheplate，butIs’posewe’doughttobethankfulhedon’ttakenothin’out。TheBaptistsaregettin’aheadfasterthanthey’doughtto，uptotheMills。Ourministerain’tnokindofaproselyter，Seemsasifhedidn’tcarehowfolksgottoheavensolongastheygotthere！Theotherchurchishavin’aservicethisafternoonsideo’theriver，an’I’dkindo’liketogo，exceptitwouldplease’emtoomuchtohaveacrowdtheretoseetheimmersion。Theytellme，butIdon’tknowhowtrue，thatthatTillmanwidderwomanthatcomeherefromsomewheresinVermontwantedtobebaptizedto—day，buttheotherconvertsdeclaredTHEYwouldn’tbe，ifshewas！\"
\"JedMorrillsaidthey’dhavetoholdherunderwaterquiteaspelltodoanygood，\"chuckledUncleBartfromthefrontseat。
\"Well，Iwouldn’trepeatit，Bartholomew，ontheSabbathday；notifhedidsayit。JedMorrill’sresponsibleformoreblasphemiousjokesthananymaninEdgewood。Idon’tapproveofmakin’lightofanybody’sreligiousobservancesifthey’reeversofoolish，\"
saidAuntAbbysomewhatenigmatically。\"Ourministerkeepsremindin’usthattheBaptistsandMethodistsareourbrethren，butIwishhe’dbealittlemoreanxioustohaveourS’ceitykeepaheadoftheothers。\"
\"Jed’s’boutrightinsizin’uptheWidderTillman，\"wasMr。
Day’stimidcontributiontotheargument。\"Iain’tareadin’man，butfromwhatfolksreportIshouldthinkshewasoneo’themcrittersthatsetonrocksbewilderin’an’bedevilin’men—folksouto’theirsenses——SYREENS，Ithinktheycall’em；areg’larSYREENiswhatthatwomanis，Iguess！\"
\"There，there，Abel，youwouldn’tknowasyreenifyoufoundoneinyourbakedbeans，sodon’ttakeawayawoman’scharacteronhearsay。\"AndMrs。Day，havingshutupherhusbandaswasherboundendutyasawifeandaChristian，tiedherbonnetstringsalittletighterandlookeddistinctlypleasedwithherself。
\"Abelain’tstartin’anynewgossip，\"wasAuntAbby’sopinion，asshesprungtohisrescue。\"Oneortwomoreholesinacolanderdon’tmakemuchdif’rence。——Bartholomew，we’recertainlygoin’tobelatethismornin’；we’reaboutthelastteamontheroad\"；andAuntAbbyglancednervouslybehind。\"ElderBooneain’tbeguntheopenin’prayer，though，orweshouldknowit。Youcanhearhimprayamileaway，whenthewind’sright。Idohatetobelatetomeetin’。TheElderallerstakesnotice；thefolksinthewingpewsallersgapesan’stares，andthechoirpeeksthroughthecurtain，takin’notesofeverythingyou’vegotonyourback。I
hopetothelandthey’llchordandkeeptogetheralittlemitebetter’nthey’vedonelately，that’sallIcansay！IftheLordisrightinourmidstastheBiblesays，Hecan’tthinkmuchofoursingersthissummer！\"
\"They’reimprovin’，nowthatPlinyWaterhouseplayshisfiddle，\"
Mrs。Dayremarkedpacifically。\"Therewastimesintheanthemwhentheykepttogetherconsid’ablewelllastSunday。Theydidn’talwayschord，butthere，theychordedsome！——we’remosttherenow，Abby，don’tfret！Cephaswon’tringthelastbelltillheknowshisownfolksiscrossin’theCommon！\"
Thoseweredaysofconscientiouschurch—goingandeverypewinthehousewascrowded。Thepulpitwasbuiltonpillarsthatraiseditsixfeethigherthanthefloor；thetopwascushionedandcoveredwithredvelvetsurmountedbyahugegilt—edgedBible。TherewasawindowinthetowerthroughwhichCephasColecouldlookintothechurch，andwhiletollingthebellcouldkeepwatchfortheminister。Alwaysexactlyontime，hewouldcomein，walkslowlyuptheright—handaisle，mountthepulpitstairs，enterandclosethedoorafterhim。ThenCephaswouldgiveonetremendouspulltowarnloiterersonthesteps；apullthatmeant，\"Parson’sinthepulpit！\"andwasacteduponaccordingly。
OpeningthebigBible，theministerraisedhisrighthandimpressively，andsaying，\"Letuspray，\"thewholecongregationroseintheirpewswithagreatrustlingandbowedtheirheadsdevoutlyfortheinvocation。
Nextcamethehymn，generallyatthatdayoneofIsaacWatts’s。
Thesingers，fifteenortwentyinnumber，satinaraisedgalleryoppositethepulpit，andtherewasarodinfronthungwithredcurtainstohidethemwhensittingdown。Anyonewasfreetojoin，whichperhapsaccountedforAuntAbby’sstricturesastotimeandtune。JedMorrill，\"blasphemious\"ashewasconsideredbythatacrimoniouslady，wastheleader，andagoodone，too。
TherewouldbeagreatwhisperingandbuzzingwhenDeaconSumnerwithhisbigfiddleandPlinyWaterhousewithhissmalleronewouldtrytogetinaccordwithHumphreyBakerandhisclarionet。
AllwentwellwhenHumphreywastheretogivethesurekey—note，butinhisabsenceJedMorrillwouldusehistuning—fork。Whenthekeywasfinallysecuredbyallconcerned，Jedwouldraisehisstick，beatonemeasuretosetthetime，andalljoinedin，orfellin，accordingtotheirseveralabilities。Itwasnotalwaysaperfectthinginthewayofastart，buttheywerewelltogetherattheendofthefirstline，andwhen，asnow，thechoirnumberedagoodlynumberofvoices，andtherewerethreeorfourhundredinthepews，nothingmoreinspiringinitspeculiarwaywaseverheard，thanthecongregationalsingingofsuchsplendidhymnsas\"OldHundred，\"\"DukeStreet，\"or\"Coronation。\"
Waitstillledthetrebles，andIvorywasatthefarendofthechoirinthebasses，buteachwasconsciousoftheother’spresence。Thismorninghecouldhearhernoblevoicerisingalittleabove，or，perhapsfromitsquality，separatingitselfsomehow，eversolittle，fromtheothers。Howfullofstrengthandhopeitwas，hervoice！Howsteadfasttothepitch；howgoldenitscolor；howmovinginitscrescendos！Howthewordsflowedfromherlips；notasiftheyhadbeenwrittenyearsago，butasiftheyweretheexpressionofherownfaith。Thereweremanyinthecongregationwhowerestirred，theyknewnotwhy，whentherechancedtobeonlyafew\"carryingtheair\"andtheycouldreallyhearWaitstillBaxtersingingsomedearoldhymn，fullofsacredmemories，like：—
\"WhileTheeIseek，protectingPower，Bemyvainwishesstilled！
AndmaythisconsecratedhourWithbetterhopesbefilled。\"
\"TheremaybetheminBostonthatcansinglouder，andtheymaybeabletorunupalittlehigherthanWaitstill，butthequestionis，couldanyof’emmakeAuntAbbyColeshedtears？\"
ThiswasJedMorrill’stributetohisbestsoprano。
TherewereSundayeveningprayer—meetings，too，heldat\"earlycandlelight，\"whenWaitstillandLucyMorrillwouldmakeaduetof\"BycoolSiloam’sShadyRill，\"orthefavorite\"Naomi，\"andthetwofreshyoungvoices，risingandfallinginthetenderthirdsoftheoldtunes，meltedallheartstonewwillingnessofsacrifice。
\"Father，whate’erofearthlyblissThysov’reignwilldenies，AcceptedatThyThroneofgraceLetthispetitionrise！
\"Givemeacalm，athankfulheart，Fromeverymurmurfree！
TheblessingofThygraceimpartAndletmelivetoThee！\"
HowIvorylovedtohearWaitstillsingtheselines！Howtheyeasedhisburdenastheywereeasinghers，fallingonhisimpatient，longingheartlikeeveningdewonthirstygrass！
XII
THEGREEN—EYEDMONSTER
\"WHILETheeIseek，protectingPower，\"wasthefirsthymnonthisparticularSundaymorning，anditusuallyheldPatty’srathervagrantattentiontotheend，thoughitfailedtodosoto—day。
TheBaxtersoccupiedoneofthewingpews，apositionalwaystobeenvied，asonecouldseethesingerswithoutturningaround，andalsoobserveeverybodyinthecongregation，——theirentrance，garments，behavior，andespeciallytheirbonnets，——withoutbeingintheleastindiscreet，orseemingtohavearovingeye。
LawyerWilson’spewwasthesecondinfrontoftheBaxtersinthesamewing，andPatty，seateddecorouslybutunwillinglybesideherfather，wasimpatientlyawaitingtheentranceofthefamily，knowingthatMarkwouldbewiththemifhehadreturnedfromBoston。TimothyGrant，theparishclerk，hadthepewinbetween，andaffordedamostedifyingspectacletothecommunity，asthereweresevenyoungGrantsofachurch—goingage，andtheladiesofthecongregationwerealwayscountingthem，reckoninghowmanymorewereintheircradlesathomeandtryingtoguessfromMrs。
Grant’slivelyorchastenedcountenancewhetheranynewoneshadbeenbornsincetheSundaybefore。
Pattysettledherselfcomfortably，andputherfootonthewooden\"cricket，\"raisingherbuffcalicoalittleonthecongregationside，justenoughtoshowaninchortwoofpetticoat。Thepetticoatwasasmodestlylongasthefrockitself，anddisclosingabitofitwasnothingmoreheinousthanacasualexhibitionofgoodneedlework。DeaconBaxterfurnishedonlytheunbleachedmuslinforhisdaughters’undergarments；buttwelvelittletuckslaboriouslydonebyhand，elaborateinch—wideedging，crochetedfromwhitespoolcotton，anddaysofbleachingonthegrassinthesun，willmakeapetticoatthatcanbeshowninchurchwithsomejustifiablepride。
TheWilsonscameuptheaisleamomentlaterthanwastheirusualhabit，justaftertheparsonhadascendedthepulpit。Mrs。Wilsonalwaysenteredthepewfirstandsatinthefarend。Pattyhadlookedatheradmiringly，andwithacertainfeelingofproprietorship，forseveralSundays。Therewasobviouslynosuchdesirablemother—in—lawinthemeeting—house。Herchangeablesilkdresswasthelatestmode；hershawlofblackllamalaceexpressedwealthineverydelicatemesh，andherbonnethadadistinctionthatcouldonlyhaveemanatedfromPortlandorBoston。EllenWilsonusuallycameinnext，withasmuchofasmiletoPattyinpassingasshedaredventureintheDeacon’spresence，andafterhersidledinheryoungersisterSelina，commonlycalled\"Silly，\"andwithconsiderablereason。
Markhadcomehome！Pattydarednotlookup，butshefelthisapproachbehindtheothers，althoughhereyessoughtthefloor，andhercheekshungoutsignalsofabashedbutcertainwelcome。
Sheheardthefamilysettleintheirseatssomewhathastily，theclickofthepewdoorandthesoundofLawyerWilson’scaneashestooditinthecorner；thentheparsonrosetoprayandPattyclosedhereyeswiththerestofthecongregation。
OpeningthemwhenElderBoonerosetoannouncethehymn，theyfell——amazed，resentful，uncomprehending——onthespectacleofMarkWilsonfindingtheplaceinthebookforastrangeyoungwomanwhosatbesidehim。MarkhimselfhadonanewsuitandworeasealringthatPattyhadneverobservedbefore；whilethedress，pelisse，andhatoftheunknownwereofanaturethatnogirlinPatty’sposition，andparticularlyofPatty’sdisposition，couldhaveregardedwithoutadesiretotearthemfromherpersonandstampthemunderfoot；orbetterstill，flauntthemherselfandshowtheworldhowtheyshouldbeworn！
Markfoundtheplaceinthehymn—bookforthe——creature，shareditwithher，andonce，whentheGranttwinswriggledandPattysecuredabetterview，once，Markshiftedhishandonthepagesothathisthumbtouchedthatofhisprettyneighbor，whodidnotremovehersasifshefoundtheproximityeitherunpleasantorimproper。Pattycomparedherownmiserableattirewiththatofthehatedrivalinfront，andalsocontrastedLawyerWilson’sappearancewiththatofherfather；theformer，welldressedinthestyleofagentlemanofthetime，inbroadcloth，withfinelinen，andatallsilkhatcarefullyplacedonthefloorofthepew；whileDeaconBaxterworehomespunmadeofwoolfromhisownsheep，spunandwoven，dyedandfinished，atthefulling—millinthevillage，andcarriedabatteredfelthatthathadbeenamatterofridiculethesedozenyears。（TheDeaconwouldbeburiedintwocoats，JedMorrillalwayssaid，forheownedjustthatnumber，andwouldbetoomeantoleaveeitherof’embehindhim！）
Thesermonwasfiftyminuteslong，timeenoughforadealofthinking。Manyahousewife，notwhollyorthodox，cutandmadeoverallherchildren’sclothes，inimagination；plannedtheputtingupofherfruit，themakingofherpreservesandpickles，andarrangedhermealsforthenextweek，duringtheprogressofthosesermons。Pattywatchedtheparsonturnleafafterleafuntilthefinalonewasreached。Thencamethelasthymn，whenthepeoplestretchedtheirachinglimbs，andrising，turnedtheirbacksontheministerandfacedthechoir。PattylookedatWaitstillandwishedthatshecouldputherthrobbingheadonhersisterlyshoulderandcry，——mostlywithrage。Thebenedictionwassaid，andwiththefinal\"Amen\"thepewswereopenedandtheworshipperscrowdedintothenarrowaislesandmovedtowardsthedoors。
Patty’splanswereallmade。ShewasoutofherpewbeforetheWilsonscouldpossiblyleavetheirs，andinherprogressdowntheaislesecurelyannexedhergreatadmirer，oldDr。Perry，aswellashissonPhilip。Passingthesinging—seatsshepickedupthehumbleCephasandcarriedhimalonginherwake，chattingandtalkingwithherlittlepartywhileherfatherwasatthehorse—sheds，makingreadytogohomebetweenservicesaswashishabit，acoldbitebeingalwayssetoutonthekitchentableaccordingtohisorders。BymeansoftheseclevermanoeuvresPattymadeherselfthefocusofattentionwhentheWilsonpartycameoutonthesteps，andvouchsafedMarkonlyanonchalantnod，airilyflingingalittlegreetingwiththenod，——justa\"Howd’yedo，Mark？DidyouhaveagoodtimeinBoston？\"
PattyandWaitsill，withsomeofthegirlswhohadcomelongdistances，atetheirluncheoninashadyplaceunderthetreesbehindthemeeting—house，fortherewasanafternoonservicetocome，aservicewithanotherlongsermon。TheyseparatedafterthemodestmealtowalkabouttheCommonorstrayalongtheroadtotheAcademy，wheretherewasafineview。
TwoorthreetimesduringthesummerthesistersalwayswentquietlyandalonetotheBaxterburying—lot，wherethreegrassgrowngraveslaybesideoneanother，unmarkedsavebynarrowwoodenslabssoshortthattheinitialspaintedonthemwerealmosthiddenbythetuftsofclover。Thegirlshadbroughtrootsofpansiesandsweetalyssum，andwithaknifemadeholesintheearthandplantedthemhereandtheretomakethespotatriflelessforbidding。Theydidnotspeaktoeachotherduringthissacredlittleceremony；theirheartsweretoofullwhentheyrememberedafreshtheabsenceofheadstones，thelackofcare，intheplacewherethethreewomenlaywhohadministeredtotheirfather，bornehimchildren，andpatientlyenduredhisarbitraryandlovelessrule。EvenCleveFlanders’grave，——theEdgewoodshoemaker，wholaynext，——evenhisresting—placewasmarkedand，withatouchofsomeone’simaginationmarkedbytheoldman’sownlapstonetwenty—fivepoundsinweight，amonumentofhiswork—a—daylife。
Waitstillrosefromherfeet，brushingtheearthfromherhands，andPattydidthesame。Thechurchyardwasquiet，andtheywerealonewiththedead，mournedandunmourned，lovedandunloved。
\"Iplantedoneortwopansiesonthefirstone’sgrave，\"saidWaitstillsoberly。\"Idon’tknowwhywe’veneverdoneitbefore。
Therearenochildrentotakenoticeofandrememberher；it’stheleastwecando，and，afterall，shebelongstothefamily。\"
\"Thereisnofamily，andthereneverwas！\"suddenlycriedPatty。
\"Oh！Waity，Waity，wearesoalone，youandI！We’veonlyeachotherinalltheworld，andI’mnottheleastbitofhelptoyou，asyouaretome！I’masilly，vain，conceited，ill—behavedthing，butIwillbebetter，Iwill！Youwon’tevergivemeup，willyou，Waity，evenifI’mnotlikeyou？Ihaven’tbeengoodlately！\"
\"Hush，Patty，hush！\"AndWaitstillcamenearertohersisterwithamotherlytouchofherhand。\"I’llnothaveyousaysuchthings；
youthatarethehelpfullestandthelovingestgirlthateverwas，andthecleverest，too，andtheliveliest，andthebestcompany—keeper！\"
\"Noonethinkssobutyou！\"Pattyrespondeddolefully，althoughshewipedhereyesasifabitconsoled。
ItissafetosaythatPattywouldneverhavegivenMarkWilsonasecondthoughthadhenottakenhertodriveonthatafternooninearlyMay。Thedrive，too，wouldhavequicklyfledfromhersomewhatficklememoryhaditnotbeenforthekiss。Thekisswas，indeed，adecisivefactorinthesituation，andhadshedarosy，ifsomewhatfictitiouslightofromanceoverthepastthreeweeks。Perhapseventhekiss，haditneverbeenrepeated，mighthavelapsedintoitstrueperspective，induecourseoftime，haditnotbeenforthesuddenappearanceofthestrangerintheWilsonpew。ThemomentthatPatty’sgazefelluponthatfashionablydressed，instantaneouslydislikedgirl，MarquisWilson’sstockrosetwentypointsinthemarket。Sheceased，inajiffy，toweighandconsiderandcriticizetheyoungman，butregardedhimwithwhollyneweyes。Hisfigurewasbetterthanshehadrealized，hissmilemoreinteresting，hismannersmoreattractive，hiseyelasheslonger；inaword，hehadsuddenlygrowndesirable。Amonthagoshecouldhaveobserved，withidleandaliencuriosity，thespectacleofhisthumbdrawingnearertoanother（feminine）thumb，onthepageoftheWattsandSelectHymnbook；now，atthemorningservice，shehadwishednothingsomuchastoputMark’sthumbbackintohispocketwhereitbelonged，andslapthegirl’sthumbsmartlyandsoundlyasitdeserved。
TheignorantcauseofPatty’sdistresswasacertainAnnabelFranklin，thedaughterofacousinofMrs。Wilson’s。MarkhadstayedattheFranklinhouseduringhisthreeweeks’visitinBoston，wherehehadgoneonbusinessforhisfather。TheyoungpeoplehadnaturallyseenmuchofeachotherandMark’sinflammablefancyhadbeensokindledbyAnnabel’sdoll—likecharmsthathehadpersuadedhertoaccompanyhimtohishomeandgetatasteofcountrylifeinMaine。Suchisman，suchishumannature，andsuchislife，thatMarkhadnosoonergotthewhilomobjectofhisaffectionsunderhisownroofthanshebegantopall。
Annabelwastwenty—three，andtotellthetruthshehadpalledbefore，morethanonce。Shewassoamiable，sowell—finished，——withhersmoothflaxenhair，herneatnose，herbuttonholeofamouth，andhertrimshape，——thatsheappealedtotheoppositesexquitegenerallyandirresistiblyasaworthyhelpmate。Theonlytroublewasthatshebegantoborehersuitorssomewhattooearlyinthegame，andtheynevergotfarenoughtoproposemarriage。Flawsinherapparentperfectionappearedfromdaytodayandchilledthegrowthofthevariousyounglovesthathadbuddedsoauspiciously。Shealwaysagreedwitheverybodyandeverythinginsight，eventothepointofchanginghermindontheinstant，ifcircumstancesseemedtomakeitadvisable。Herinstinctivepointofview，whenshewentsofarastoholdone，wassomewhatcutanddried；inaword，priggish。Shekeptayoungmanstrictlyonhisgoodbehavior，thatmuchcouldbesaidinherfavor；theonlycriticismthatcouldbemadeonthisestimabletraitwasthatnoboldyouthwasevertemptedtooversteptheboundsofdiscretionwheninherpresence。Nounrulywordsofloveeverrosetohislips；hishandneverstoleoutinvoluntarilyandimprudentlytomeethersmallchillyone；thesightofherwaistneverevensuggestedanencirclingarm；andasafellowneverdesiredtokissher，shewasneverobligedtowarnorrebukeorstrikehimoffhervisitinglist。HerfatherhadanamplefortuneandsomeonewouldinevitablyturnupwhowouldregardAnnabelasanaltogetherworthyanddesirablespouse。ThatwaswhatshehadseemedtoMarkWilsonforafullweekbeforehelefttheFranklinhouseinBoston，butthereweremomentsnowwhenheregretted，fugitively，thathehadeverremovedherfromherpropersphere。ShedidnotseemtofitintotheconditionsoflifeinEdgewood，anditmayevenbethathermostglaringfaulthadbeentodescribePattyBaxter’shairatthisverySundaydinneras\"carroty，\"herdressaltogether\"dreadful，\"andherstyleofbeauty\"unladylike。\"EllenWilson’sfeelingsweresomewhatinjuredbythesecriticismsofherintimatefriend，andindiscussingthematterprivatelywithherbrotherhewasinclinedtoagreewithher。
Andthus，solittledoweknowoftheprankishnessoftheblindgod，thuswasAnnabelFranklinworkingforherrival’sbestinterests；andinsteadofrevilingherinsecret，andtreatingherwithdisdaininpublic，PattyshouldhavewelcomedhercordiallytoallthedelightsofRiverborosociety。
XIII
HAYING—TIME
EVERYBODYinRiverboro，Edgewood，Milliken’sMills，SpruceSwamp，DuckPond，andModerationwas\"haying。\"Therewasaperfectfrenzyofhaying，foritwastheMondayafterthe\"Fourth，\"theprecisedateinJulywhentheMainefarmersaidgood—byetorepose，and\"hayed\"desperatelyandunceasingly，untileveryspearofgreeninhissectionwasmoweddownandsafelyundercover。Ifamanhadgrassofhisown，hecutit，andifhehadnone，heassistedincuttingthatofsomeotherman，for\"tohay，\"althoughanunconventionalverb，was，andstillis，averyactiveone，andincommoncirculation，althoughnotusedbythegrammarians。
Whateveryourtrade，andwhateveryourprofession，itcountedasnaughtingoodweather。Thefish—manstoppedsellingfish，themeat—manceasedtobringmeat；thecobbler，aswellasthejudge，forsookthebench；andeventhedoctormadefewervisitsthanusual。Thewageforworkinthehay—fieldswasahighone，andeveryman，boy，andhorseinavillagewaspressedintoservice。
WhenIvoryBoyntonhadfinishedwithhisownsmallcrop，hecommonlywentatoncetoLawyerWilson，whohadthelargestacreageofhay—landinthetownship。Ivorywasalwaysingreatdemand，forhewasamightyworkerinthefield，andaverygiantat\"pitching，\"beingabletopickupafair—sizedhay—cockatonestrokeoftheforkandflingitontothecartasifitwereafeather。LawyerWilsonalwaystookahandhimselfifsignsofrainappeared，andMarkoccasionallyvisitedthesceneofactionwhenacrowdinthefieldmadeageneraljollification，orwhentherewasanimpendingthunderstorm。Insuchcasesevenwomenandgirlsjoinedtheworkersandallhandsbenttogethertothetaskofgettingaloadintothebarnandcoveringtherest。
DeaconBaxterwaswonttocallMarkWilsona\"worthless，whey—faced，lily—handedwhelp，\"butthedescription，thoughpicturesque，wasdecidedlyexaggerated。Markdislikedmanuallabor，buthavingimbibedenoughknowledgeoflawinhisfather’sofficetobeanexcellentclerk，hemuchpreferredtravellingabout，settlingthedetailsofsmallcases，collectingrentsandbadbills，toanyformofworkonafarm。Thissortoflife，onstage—coachesandrailwaytrains，oronlongdrivingtripswithhisownfasttrotter，suitedhisadventurousdispositionandgavehimasenseofimportancethatwasverynecessarytohispeaceofmind。HewasnotespeciallyintimatewithIvoryBoynton，whostudiedlawwithhisfatherduringallvacationsandineveryavailablehourofleisureduringtermtime，asdidmanyanotheryoungNewEnglandschoolmaster。Mark’sfather’spraiseofIvory’slegalabilitywasalittletoowarmtopleasehisson，aswasthecommendationofoneoftheCountyCourtjudgesonIvory’spreparationofabriefinacertaincaseintheWilsonoffice。
