Waitstillcouldnotspeak；sheputherarmroundthetremblingfigure，holdingherasshewaswonttoholdPatty，andwiththesameprotectiveinstinct。Theembracewaselectricinitseffectandsetaltogethernewcurrentsofemotionincirculation。
SomethinginLoisBoynton’sperturbedmindseemedtobeatitswingsagainstthebarriersthathadheretoforeopposedit，and，freeingitself，mountedintoclearerairandwentsingingtothesky。Sherestedhercheekonthegirl’sbreastwithalittlesob。
\"Oh！letmegoonrememberingwrong，\"shesighed，fromthatsafeshelter。\"Letmegoonrememberingwrong！Itmakesmesohappy！\"
Waitstillgentlyledhertotherocking—chairandsatdownbesideherontheloweststep，strokingherthinhand。Mrs。Boynton’seyeswereclosed，herbreathcameandwentquickly，butpresentlyshebegantospeakhurriedly，asifshewererelievingasurchargedheart。
\"Thereissomethingtroublingme，\"shebegan，\"anditwouldeasemymindifIcouldtellittosomeonewhocouldhelp。Yourhandissowarmandsofirm！Oh，holdminecloselyandletmedrawinstrengthaslongasyoucanspareit；itisflowing，flowingfromyourhandintomine，flowinglikewine……Mythoughtsatnightarenotlikemythoughtsbyday，theselastweeks……I
wakesuddenlyandfeelthatmyhusbandhasbeenawayalongtimeandwillnevercomeback……Often，atnight，too，Iaminsoretroubleaboutsomethingelse，somethingIhavenevertoldIvory，thefirstthingIhaveeverhiddenfrommydearson，butI
thinkIcouldtellyou，ifonlyIcouldbesureaboutit。\"
\"Tellmeifitwillhelpyou；Iwilltrytounderstand，\"saidWaitstillbrokenly。
\"IvorysaysRodmanisthechildofmydeadsister。Someonemusthavetoldhimso；couldithavebeenI？Ithauntsmedayandnight，forunlessIamrememberingwrongagain，Ineverhadasister。Icancalltomindneithersisternorbrother。\"
\"YouwenttoNewHampshireonewinter，\"Waitstillremindedhergently，asifsheweretalkingtoachild。\"Itwasbittercoldforyoutotakesuchahardjourney。Yoursisterdied，andyoubroughtherlittleboy，Rodman，back，butyouweresoillthatastrangerhadtotakecareofyouonthestage—coachanddriveyoutoEdgewoodnextdayinhisownsleigh。Itisnowonderyouhaveforgottensomethingofwhathappened，forDr。Perryhardlybroughtyouthroughthebrainfeverthatfollowedthatjourney。\"
\"Iseemtothink，now，thatitisnotso！\"saidMrs。Boynton，openinghereyesandlookingatWaitstilldespairingly。\"ImustgropeandgropeinthedarkuntilIfindoutwhatistrue，andthentellIvory。Godwillpunishfalsespeaking！Hisheartisclosedagainstliesandevil—doing！\"
\"Hewillneverpunishyouifyourtiredmindrememberswrong，\"
saidWaitstill。\"Heknows，nonebetter，howyouhavetriedtofindHimandholdHim，throughmanyatangledpath。IwillcomeasoftenasIcanandwewilltrytofrightenawaytheseworryingthoughts。\"
\"Ifyouwillonlycomenowandthenandholdmyhand，\"saidIvory’smother，——\"holdmyhandsothatyourstrengthwillflowintomyweakness，perhapsIshallpuzzleitallout，andGodwillhelpmetorememberrightbeforeIdie。\"
\"EverythingthatIhavepowertogiveawayshallbegiventoyou，\"promisedWaitstill。\"NowthatIknowyou，andyoutrustme，youshallneverbeleftsoaloneagain，——notforlong，atanyrate。WhenIstayawayyouwillrememberthatIcannothelpit，won’tyou？\"
\"Yes，IshallthinkofyoutillIseeyouagainIshallwatchthelonglanemorethanevernow。Ivorysometimestakesthepathacrossthefieldsbutmydearhusbandwillcomebytheoldroad，andnowtherewillbeyoutolookfor！\"
XVI
LOCKEDOUT
ATtheBaxtersthelatesupperwasoverandthegirlshadnotsatatthetablewiththeirfather，havingeatenearlier，bythemselves。Thehiredmenhadgonehometosleep。Pattyhadretiredtothesolitudeofherbedroomalmostatdusk，quitewornoutwiththeheat，andWaitstillsatunderthepeachtreeinthecornerofherownlittlegarden，tatting，andthinkingofherinterviewwithIvory’smother。Shesatthereuntilnearlyeighto’clock，tryingvainlytoputtogetherthepuzzlingdetailsofLoisBoynton’sconversation，wonderingwhethertheperplexitiesthatvexedhermindwererealorfancied，butwarmedtotheheartbytheaffectionthattheolderwomanseemedinstinctivelytofeelforher。\"Shedidnotknowme，yetshecaredformeatonce，\"thoughtWaitstilltenderlyandproudly；\"andIforher，too，atthefirstglance。\"
Sheheardherfatherlockthebarnandshedandknewthathewouldbegoingupstairsimmediately，soshequicklywentthroughthesideyardandliftedthelatchofthekitchendoor。Itwasfastened。Shewenttothefrontdoorandthat，too，wasbolted，althoughithadbeenstandingopenalltheevening，sothatifabreezeshouldspringup，itmightblowthroughthehouse。Herfathersupposed，ofcourse，thatshewasinbed，andshedreadedtobringhimdownstairsforfearofhisanger；stilltherewasnohelpforitandsherappedsmartlyatthesidedoor。Therewasnoanswerandsherappedagain，vexedwithherowncarelessness。
Patty’sfaceappearedpromptlybehindherscreenofmosquitonettinginthesecondstory，butbeforeshecouldexchangeawordwithhersister，DeaconBaxteropenedtheblindsofhisbedroomwindowandputhisheadout。
\"Youcantrysleepin’outdoors，orinthebarnto—night，\"hecalled。\"Ididn’tsayanythingtoyouatsupper—timebecauseI
wantedtoseewhereyouwasintendin’toprowlthisevenin’。\"
\"Ihaven’tbeen’prowling’anywhere，father，\"answeredWaitstill；
\"I’vebeenoutinthegardencoolingoff；it’sonlyeighto’clock。\"
\"Well，youcancooloffsomemore，\"heshouted，histempernowfullyaroused；\"orgobackwhereyouwasthisafternoonandseeifthey’lltakeyouinthere！Iknowallaboutyourdeceitfultricks！IcomehometogrindthescythesandfoundthehouseandbarnemptyCephassaidyou’ddrivenupSacoHillandItookhishorseandfollowedyouandsawwhereyouwentLong’syoucouldn’thaveafellercallin’onyouheretohome，youthoughtyou’dcallonhim，didyer，youbold—facedhussy？\"
\"Iamnothingofthesort，\"thegirlansweredhimquietly；\"IvoryBoyntonwasnotathishouse，hewasinthehay—field。Youknowit，andyouknowthatIknewit。Iwenttoseeasick，unhappywomanwhohasnoneighbors。Ioughttohavegonelongbefore。I
amnotashamedofit，andIdon’tregretit。Ifyouaskunreasonablethingsofme，youmustexpecttobedisobeyedonceinawhile。
\"Mustexpecttobedisobeyed，mustI？\"theoldmancried，hisfacepositivelyterrifyinginitsugliness。\"We’llseeaboutthat！Ifyouwa’n’tcallin’onayoungman，youwerecallin’onacrazywoman，andIwon’thaveit，Itellyou，doyouhear？I
won’thaveadaughtero’mineconsortin’withanyo’thatBoyntoncrew。Perhapsanightoutdoorswillteachyouwho’smasterinthishouse，youimperdent，shamelessgirl！We’11tryit，anyway！\"
Andwiththathebangeddownthewindowanddisappeared，gibberingandjabberingimpotentwordsthatshecouldhearbutnotunderstand。
Waitstillwasalmoststunnedbythesuddennessofthiscatastrophe。Shestoodwithherfeetrootedtotheearthforseveralminutesandthenwalkedslowlyawayoutofsightofthehouse。TherewasachairbesidethegrindstoneunderthePorterappletreeandshesankintoit，crossedherarmsontheback，andbowingherheadonthem，burstintoafitofweepingastempestuousandpassionateasitwassilent，foralthoughherbodyfairlyshookwithsobsnosoundescaped。
Theminutespassed，perhapsanhour；shedidnottakeaccountoftime。Themoonwentbehindclouds，thenightgrewmistyandthestarsfadedonebyone。Therewouldberainto—morrowandtherewasagreatdealofhaycut，soshethoughtinavagrantsortofway。
MeanwhilePattyupstairswasinastateofsuppressedexcitementandterror。Itwasaquarterofanhourbeforeherfathersettledhim—selfinbed；thenanage，itseemedtoher，beforesheheardhisheavybreathing。Whenshethoughtitquitesafe，sheslippedonaprintwrapper，tookhershoesinherhand，andcreptnoiselesslydownstairs，outthroughthekitchenandintotheshed。Liftingtheheavybarthatheldthebigdoorsinplacesheclosedthemsoftlybehindher，steppedout，andlookedaboutherinthedarkness。Herquickeyeespiedinthedistance，nearthebarn，thebowedfigureinthechair，andsheflewthroughthewetgrasswithoutathoughtofherbarefeettillshereachedhersister’ssideandheldherinacloseembrace。
\"Mydarling，myown，own，poordarling！\"shecriedsoftly，thetearsrunningdownhercheeks。\"Howwicked，howunjusttoservemydearestsisterso！Don’tcry，myblessing，don’tcry；youfrightenme！I’11takecareofyou，dear！NexttimeI’llinterfere；I’llscratchandbite；yes，I’llstrangleanybodythatdarestoshameyouandlockyououtofthehouse！You，thedearest，thepatientest，thebest！\"
Waitstillwipedhereyes。\"Letusgofartherawaywherewecantalk，\"shewhispered。
\"Wherehadwebettersleep？\"Pattyasked。\"Onthehay，Ithink，thoughweshallstiflewiththeheat\"；andPattymovedtowardsthebarn。
\"No，youmustgobacktothehouseatonce，Pattydear；fathermightwakeandcallyou，andthatwouldmakemattersworse。It’sbeginningtodrizzle，orIshouldstayoutintheair。Oh！I
wonderiffather’smindisgoing，andifthisisthebeginningoftheend！Ifheisinhissobersenses，hecouldnotbesostrange，sosuspicious，sounjust。\"
\"Hecouldbeanything，sayanything，doanything，\"exclaimedPatty。\"Perhapsheisnotresponsibleandperhapsheis；itdoesn’tmakemuchdifferencetous。Comealong，blesseddarling！
I’lltuckyouin，andthenI’llcreepbacktothehouse，ifyousayImust。I’llgodownandmakethekitchenfireinthemorning；youstayouthereandseewhathappens。Agooddealwillhappen，I’mthinking，iffatherspeakstomeofyou！Ishouldn’tbesurprisedtoseethefurflyinginalldirections；I’llseizethefirstmomenttobringyououtacupofcoffeeandwe’llconsultaboutwhattodo。Imaytellyounow，I’mallforrunningaway！\"
Waitstill’sfirstburstofwretchednesshadsubsidedandshehadrecoveredherbalance。\"I’mafraidwemustwaitalittlelonger，Patty，\"sheadvised。\"Don’tmentionmynametofather，butseehowheactsinthemorning。Hewassowild，sounlikehimself，thatIalmosthopehemayforgetwhathesaidandsleepitoff。
Yes，wemustjustwait。\"
\"Nodoubthe’llbefarcalmerinthemorningifheremembersthat，ifheturnsyouout，hefacestheprospectofthreemealsadaycookedbyme，\"saidPatty。\"That’swhathethinkshewouldface，butasamatteroffactIshalltellhimthatwhereyousleepIsleep，andwhereyoueatIeat，andwhenyoustopcookingIstop！Hewon’tpartwithtwounpaidservantsinahurry，notatthebeginningofhaying。\"AndPatty，givingWaitstillalasthugandadozentearfulkisses，stolereluctantlybacktothehousebythesameroutethroughwhichhehadleftit。
Pattywasright。Shefoundthefirelightedwhenshewentdownintothekitchennextmorning，andwithoutawordshehurriedbreakfastontothetableasfastasshecouldcookandserveit。
Waitstillwassafeinthebarnchamber，sheknew，andwouldbetherequietlywhileherfatherwasfeedingthehorseandmilkingthecows；orperhapsshemightgoupinthewoodsandwaituntilshesawhimdrivingaway。
TheDeaconatehisbreakfastinsilence，lookingandactingverymuchasusual，forhewasgenerallydumbatmeals。Whenheleftthehouse，however，andclimbedintothewagon，heturnedaroundandsaidinhisordinarygruffmanner：\"Bringthelunchuptothefieldyourselfto—day，Patience。TellyoursisterIhopeshe’scometohersensesinthecourseofthenight。You’vegottolearn，bothofyou，thatmy’say—so’mustbelawinthishouse。
Youcanfussandyoucanfume，ifitamusesyouany，but’twon’tdonogood。Don’tencourageWaitstillinanywhinin’norblubberin’。JesttellhertocomeinandgotoworkandI’11
overlookwhatshedonethistime。Anddon’tyougivemeanymoreofyoureye—snappin’andlip—poutin’andhead—in—the—airimperdence！
You’reunderage，andifyoudon’tlookout，you’llgetsomethingthat’sgoodforwhatailsyou！Youtwogirlsjestaidan’abetoneanotherthat’swhatyoudo，aidan’abetoneanother，anifyoucarryitanyfurtherI’llfindsomewayo’separatin’you，doyouhear？\"
Pattyspokeneveraword，norflutteredaneyelash。Shehadaproperspirit，butnowherheartwascoldwithanewfear，andshefelt，withWaitstill，thatherfathermustbeobeyedandhistemperkeptwithinbounds，untilGodprovidedthemawayofescape。
Sheranouttothebarnchamberand，notfindingWaitstill，lookedacrossthefieldandsawhercomingthroughthepathfromthewoods。Pattywavedherhand，andrantomeethersister，joyatthemerefactofherexistence，ofbeingabletoseeheragain，andofhearingherdearvoice，almostchokingherinitsintensity。Whentheyreachedthehouseshehelpedherupstairsasifshewereachild，broughthercoolwatertowashawaythedustofthehaymow，laidoutsomecleanclothesforher，andfinallyputherontheloungeinthedarkenedsitting—room。
\"Iwon’tletanybodycomenearthehouse，\"shesaid，\"andyoumusthaveacupofteaandagoodsleepbeforeItellyouallthatfathersaid。Justcomfortyourselfwiththethoughtthatheisgoingto’overlookit’thistime！AfterIcarryuphisluncheon，IshallstopatthestoreandaskCephastocomeoutontheriverbankforafewminutes。ThenIshallproceedtosaywhatIthinkofhimfortellingfatherwhereyouwentyesterdayafternoon。\"
\"Don’tblameCephas！\"Waitstillremonstrated。\"Can’tyouseejusthowithappened？HeandUncleBartweresittinginfrontoftheshopwhenIdroveby。Whenfathercamehomeandfoundthehouseemptyandthehorsenotinthestall，ofcourseheaskedwhereI
was，andCephasprobablysaidhehadseenmedriveupSacoHill。
Hehadnoreasontothinkthattherewasanyharminthat。\"
\"Ifhehadanysensehemightknowthatheshouldn’ttellanythingtofatherexceptwhathappensinthestore，\"Pattyinsisted。\"Wereyoufrightenedoutinthebarnalonelastnight，poordear？\"
\"IwastoounhappytothinkoffearandIwaschieflynervousaboutyou，allaloneinthehousewithfather。\"
\"Ididn’tlikeitverymuch，myself！Ibuttonedmybedroomdoorandsatbythewindowallnight，shiveringandbristlingattheleastsound。Everybodycallsmeacoward，butI’mnot！Courageisn’tnotbeingfrightened；it’snotscreechingwhenyouarefrightened。Now，whathappenedattheBoyntons’？\"
\"Patty，Ivory’smotheristhemostpatheticcreatureIeversaw！\"
AndWaitstillsatuponthesofa，herlongbraidsofhairhangingoverhershoulders，herpalefaceshowingthetracesofherheavyweeping。\"Ineverpitiedanyonesomuchinmywholelife！Togoupthatlong，longlane；tocomeuponthatdrearyhousehiddenawayinthetrees；tofeelthelonelinessandthesilence；andthentoknowthatsheislivingtherelikeahermit—thrushinaforest，withoutawomantocareforher，itisheart—breaking！\"
\"Howdoesthehouselook，——dreadful？\"
\"No：everythingisasneataswax。Sheisn’t’crazy，’Patty，asweunderstandtheword。Hermindisbecloudedsomehowanditalmostseemsasifthecloudmightliftatanymoment。Shegoesaboutlikesomebodyinadream，sewingorknittingorcooking。Itisonlywhenshetalks，andyounoticethathereyesreallyseenothing，butarelookingbeyondyou，thatyouknowthereisanythingwrong。\"
\"Ifsheappearssolikeotherpeople，whydon’ttheneighborsgotoseeheronceinawhile？\"
\"Callersmakeherunhappy，shesays，andIvorytoldmethathedarednotencourageanycompanyinthehouseforfearofexcitingher，andmakingheranobjectofgossip，besides。Heknowsherwaysperfectlyandthatsheissafeandcontentwithherfancieswhensheisalone，whichisseldom，afterall。\"
\"Whatdoesshetalkabout？\"askedPatty。
\"Herhusbandmostly。Sheisexpectinghimtocomebackdaily。Weknewthatbefore，ofcourse，butnoonecanrealizeittilltheyseehersettingthetableforhimandputtingasaucerofwildstrawberriesbyhisplate；goingaboutthekitchensoftly，likeagentleghost。\"
\"Itgivesmetheshudders！\"saidPatty。\"Icouldn’tbearit！Ifsheneverseesstrangers，whatintheworlddidshemakeofyou？
Howdidyoubegin？\"
\"ItoldherIhadknownIvoryeversincewewereschoolchildren。
Shewasratherstrangeandindifferentatfirst，andthensheseemedtotakeafancytome。\"
\"That’squeer！\"saidPatty，smilingfondlyandgivingWaitstill’shairthehastybrushofakiss。
\"Shetoldmeshehadhadagirlbaby，borntwoorthreeyearsafterIvory，andthatshehadalwaysthoughtitdiedwhenitwasafewweeksold。Thensuddenlyshecameclosertome——
\"Oh！Waity，weren’tyouterrified？\"
\"No，notintheleast。Neitherwouldyouhavebeenifyouhadbeenthere。SheputherarmsroundmeandallatonceI
understoodthatthepoorthingmistookmejustforamomentforherowndaughtercomebacktolife。ItwasasuddenfancyandI
don’tthinkitlasted，butIdidn’tknowhowtodealwithit，orcontradictit，soIsimplytriedtosootheherandlethereaseherheartbytalkingtome。ShesaidwhenIlefther：’Whereisyourhouse？Ihopeitisnear！Docomeagainandsitwithme。
Strengthflowsintomyweaknesswhenyouholdmyhand！’Isomehowfeel，Patty，thatsheneedsawomanfriendevenmorethanadoctor。Andnow，whatamItodo？HowcanIforsakeher；andyethereisthisnewdifficultywithfather？\"
\"Ishouldn’tforsakeher；gotherewhenyoucan，butbemorecarefulaboutit。Youtoldfatherthatyoudidn’tregretwhatyouhaddone，andthatwhenheorderedyoutodounreasonablethings，youshoulddisobeyhim。Afterall，youarenotablackslave。
Fatherwillneverthinkofthatparticularthingagain，perhaps，anymorethanheeveralludedtomydrivingtoSacowithMrs。Dayafteryouhadtoldhimitwasnecessaryforoneofustogothereoccasionally。Heknowsthatifheistoohardonus，Dr。PerryorUncleBartwouldtakehiminhand。Theywouldhavedoneitlongagoifwehadevergivenanyoneevenahintofwhatwehavetoendure。Youwillbeallright，becauseyouonlywanttodokind，neighborlythings。Iamtheonethatwillalwayshavetosuffer，becauseIcan’tprovethatit’saChristiandutytodeceivefatherandstealofftoadanceorafrolic。YetImightaswellbeanuninaconventforallthefunIget！Iwantawhitebook—muslindress；Iwantapairofthinshoeswithbuckles；I
wantawhitehatwithawreathofyellowroses；IwantavolumeofByron’spoems；andoh！nobodyknows——nobodybuttheLordcouldunderstand——howIwantastringofgoldbeads。\"
\"Patty，Patty！Tohearyouchatteranybodywouldimagineyouthoughtofnothingbutfrivolities。Iwishyouwouldn’tdoyourselfsuchinjustice；evenwhennobodyhearsyoubutme，itiswrong。\"
\"SometimeswhenyouthinkI’mtalkingnonsenseit’sreallythegospeltruth，\"saidPatty。\"I’mnotagrand，splendidcharacter，Waitstill，andit’snouseyourdeceivingyourselfaboutme；ifyoudo，you’llbedisappointed。\"
\"Goandparboilthebeansandgetthemintothepot，Patty。Pickupsomeofthewindfallsandmakeagreen—applepie，andI’llbewithyouinthekitchenmyselfbeforelong。Ineverexpecttobedisappointedinyou，Patty，onlycontinuallysurprisedandpleased。\"
\"IthoughtI’dbeginmakingsomesoftsoapto—day，\"saidPattymischievously，asshelefttheroom。\"Wehaveenoughgreasesavedup。Wedon’treallyneedityet，butitmakessuchadisgustingsmellthatI’dratherlikefathertohaveitwithhisdinner。
It’snotmuchofapunishmentforoursleeplessnight。\"
AUTUMN
XVII
ABRACEOFLOVERS
HAYINGwasover，andtheclose，stickydog—days，too，andAugustwasslippingintoSeptember。Therehadbeenplentyofrainalltheseasonandthecountrysidewaslookingasfreshandgreenasanemerald。Thehillsideswerealreadyclothedwithaverdantgrowthofnewgrassand\"TheredpennonsofthecardinalflowersHungmotionlessupontheiruprightstaves。\"
Howtheygleamedinthemeadowgrassesandalongthebrooksideslikebrilliantflecksofflame，givinganewbeautytothenosegaysthatWaitstillcarriedorsenttoMrs。Boyntoneveryweek。
Totheeyeofthecasualobserver，lifeinthetwolittlevillagesbytheriver’sbrinkwentonaspeacefullyasever，butthereweresubtlechangestakingplacenevertheless。CephasColehad\"asked\"thesecondtimeandagainhadbeenrefusedbyPatty，sothatevenaveryidiotforhopefulnesscouldnoturgehisfathertoputanotherstoryontheell。
\"IfitturnsouttobePhoebeDay，\"thoughtCephasdolefully，\"tworoomsisplentygoodenough，an’Ishan’tblockupthedoorthatleadsfromthemainpart，neither，asIthoughtlikelyI
should。Ifsobeit’sgottobePhoebe，notPatty，Ishan’tcarewhethermothertroopsout’n’inornot。\"AndCephasdealtoutriceandteaandcoffeewithsolanguidanair，andmadesuchfrequentmistakesinweighingthesugar，thathedrewuponhimselfmanyasharprebukefromtheDeacon。
\"OfcourseI’dclubhimovertheheadwithasaltfishtwiceadayunderord’narycircumstances，\"CephasconfidedtohisfatherwithavaliantairthatheneverworeinDeaconBaxter’spresence；\"butI’vegotareason，knowntonobodybutmyself，forwantin’tostan’wellwiththeoldmanforaspelllonger。IfeverIquitwantin’tostan’wellwithhim，he’llgethiscomeuppance，shortansudden！\"
\"Speakin’o’standin’wellwithfolks，PhilPerry’skindo’
makin’uptoPatienceBaxter，ain’the，Cephas？\"askedUncleBartguardedly。\"Mebbeyouwouldn’tnoticeit，hevin’nopartic’larint’rest，butyourmother’skindogottheideeintoherheadlately，an’she’sturriblefar—sighted。\"
\"Iguessit’sso！\"Cephasrespondedgloomily。\"It’snipan’tuck’tweenhiman’MarkWilson。
Thatgirldraws’emasmolassesdoesflies！Shedoesit’thoutliftin’afinger，too，nomore’nthemolassesdoes。Shejustsetsstillan’IS！An’allthetimeshe’snothin’butaflightylittlered—headedspitfirethatdon’tknowagoodhusbandwhensheseesone。Thefellerthatgitsherwilllivetoregretit，that’smyopinion！\"AndCephasthoughttohimself：\"GoodLord，don’tIwishIwasregrettin’itthisveryminute！\"
\"Is’poseagirllikePhoebeDay’dbeconsid’ablelesstroubletolivewith？\"venturedUncleBart。
\"Inevercouldtakeanyfancytothattowhairo’hern！IlikethecolorwellenoughwhenI’mpeelingitoffacorncob，butI
don’tlikeitonagirl’shead，\"objectedCephashypercritically。
\"An’hereyeshain’tgotenoughbluein’emtobeblue：they’rejestlikeskim—milk。An’shekeepshermouthopenalittlemiteallthetime，jestasiftherewa’n’tnogooddraughtthrough，an’shewasa—tryin’togitair。An’’twasmethatbeguncallin’
her’FeeblePhoebeinschool，an’thescholars’llneverforgitit；they’dthrowituptomethewhole’durin’timeifIshouldgotoworkan’keepcompanywithher！\"
\"Mebbethey’veforgotbythistime，\"UncleBartrespondedhopefully；\"though’tisanawfulreskwhenyouthinko’
CompanionPike！SamuelhewasbaptizedandSamuelhecontinuedtobe，\"tillhemarriedtheWidderBixbyfromWaterboro。Bein’ashowtherewa’n’tnothin’partic’lyattractive’bouthim，——thoughhewasasniceafelleraseverlived，——somebodyaskedherwhyshemarriedhim，an’shesaidhercathedjestdiedan’shewantedacompanion。Theboysneverletgoo’thatstory！SamuelPikeheceasedtobethirtyyearago，an’CompanionPikehe’sremaineduptothisinstantminute！\"
\"Heain’tliveduptohisnamemuch，\"remarkedCephas。\"He’stohomeforhismeals，butIguesshiswifeneverseeshimbetweentimes。\"
\"Ifthecathedlivedmebbeshe’d’a’beenbettercomp’nyonthewhole，\"chuckledUncleBart。\"Companionwasallerskindo’dreamyan’absent—mindedfromaboy。Irememberaskin’himwhathiswife’sChristiannamewas（shebein’astrangertoRiverboro）an’
hesaidhedidn’tknow！SaidhecalledherMis’Bixbyaforehemarriedheran’Mis’Pikeafterwards！\"
